A traditional observance of worshipping the full moon and carrying a handmade yakata through Tsuyashiro
Tsuyashiro Dekosan
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- day 15 of lunar month 10
- Location
- Tsuyashirocho, Ureshino (community center and Daimon Bridge)
- Area
- Mie Prefecture・Matsusaka City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train + connecting train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Age restrictions
- Boys and children take part in the observance
- Required number of participants
- 4 yakata bearers, 4 changiri players, 4 players, 4 lantern bearers, and 3–4 attendants
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
“Tsuyashiro Dekosan,” from Tsuyashirocho, Ureshino, Matsusaka City, is a city-designated intangible folk cultural property in which children carry the yakata with flags and taiko on the night of the full moon, visiting homes throughout the village.
About Tsuyashiro Dekosan
Tsuyashiro Dekosan is a Matsusaka City-designated intangible folk cultural property from Tsuyashirocho, Ureshino, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture.
On the night of the full moon, boys carry a called a “yakata” and visit homes throughout the village.
Children lead the event carrying flags, followed by a procession through the community with the yakata, taiko, changiri, and lanterns.
At the end, they worship the moon at Daimon Bridge and disband at the community center.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the costumes passed down by local children and the handmade yakata.
Dekosan is a roughly 50-centimeter-tall doll dressed as a samurai. It holds a piece of paper marked “上” and wears the kimono of the first boy born that year.
The yakata is built on a base of green bamboo, with pillars decorated with chrysanthemums, a roof adorned with nandina leaves and berries, and red lanterns on all four sides. It is about 1 meter high and about 2 meters long.
The procession, with flags, taiko, changiri, and lanterns, is also distinctive.
A traditional observance of worshipping the full moon and carrying a handmade yakata through Tsuyashiro
What to expect
At around 16:00 on the day, the children dress in navy kasuri kimono or hakama, black tabi, zori sandals, white headbands, and white sashes.
Children carrying red, white, and yellow flags set off first. When they return, 4 people carry the yakata, followed by 4 changiri players, 4 taiko players, 4 lantern bearers, and 3–4 attendants.
After worshipping the full moon at Daimon Bridge, the procession visits homes throughout the village.
At homes where the procession takes a break, the participants are given sweets and tea. At the end, they worship the moon once more at Daimon Bridge and disband at the community center.
How to take part
対象年齢：少年男子・子供たちが行事を担う
必要人数：ヤカタ4人、チャンギリ4人、太鼓4人、提灯4人、お供3～4人
Location and access
- Venue and address
Tsuyashirocho, Ureshino, Matsusaka City; community center and Daimon Bridge
Address Tsuyashirocho, Ureshino, Matsusaka City
Dates and season
- Season
day 15 of lunar month 10
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Mie Prefecture / Matsusaka City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
松坂城
三重県松阪市にある城
Origins and History of Tsuyashiro Dekosan
Tsuyashiro Dekosan is described as an Edo-period observance said to have begun around the Genroku era.
Matsusaka City’s cultural information lists it as a city-designated intangible folk cultural property.
It is held on the night of the full moon on day 15 of lunar month 10, and records describe boys carrying the yakata in a procession through the village.
The entry from Showa 45 and the page’s update date, December 19, 2019, are also shown.
Official information
“Tsuyashiro Dekosan” is listed in the cultural information on Matsusaka City’s official website.
For inquiries, contact the Cultural Properties Section of the Culture Division, Industry and Culture Department, Matsusaka City.
Tsuyashiro Dekosan at a Glance
Tsuyashiro Dekosan is a Matsusaka City-designated intangible folk cultural property from Tsuyashirocho, Ureshino, Matsusaka City, said to have begun around the Genroku era.
On the night of the full moon, children lead with flags, and the procession carrying the yakata with Dekosan aboard visits homes throughout the village.
The yakata, made with green bamboo, chrysanthemums, nandina, and red lanterns, and the procession accompanied by taiko and changiri are distinctive features.
The account records the procession from worshipping the moon at Daimon Bridge to disbanding at the community center.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/11
