Home > Profile of Tahara > Festival
 |
Kite-flying Festival |
|---|---|
| The Kite-flying Festival was started as a celebration to pray for the success of children in their life as symbolized with their success in flying their first kite. The festival is held on the 4th Saturday and Sunday of May every year. Along with the first kites, the "Kenka Kite Competition," which is designated as an Intangible Cultural Asset by Tahara, is held. Powdered glass is bonded to the kite strings, then when the unique to Tahara horizontally oriented rectangle-shaped kites are flown, the abrasive kite strings cut each other when they get crossed. | |
 |
Tahara Festival |
| The Tahara Festival, with its floats adorned with Karakuri Dolls, is famous all over Japan. It is held on the weekend nearest the middle of September each year. The gorgeously adorned floats with their Karakuri dolls from the Kayamachi, Shinmachi and Honmachi communities parade through the streets. These floats have been designated Tangible Folk Culture Assets by Tahara. Children can also be seen dancing on the floats in the evenings, and skyrockets, handheld tube fireworks and giant fireworks displays are set off during the celebration. | |
 |
Ryugu Festival |
| In the Ryugu Festival, a large sea turtle made of sand is created on the beach and prayers are offered to the Hachidairyu Dragon God (the God of Marine Protection) for good fishing and safe passage through the sea. The festival is held each year on August 15 at Shiroya Beach. In this unique local festival, after prayers have been offered on the beach, the children are dressed up as Urashima Taro, a fairy tale hero, then ride out to sea on mock sea turtles, offering sake and rice cakes to the dragon god. | |
 |
Tahara Festival Hall |
| Centered on exhibits of Karakori floats and Tahara kites, this festival hall introduces Tahara City's major festivals. This hall is a key facility for preserving and passing on the castle town culture of old Tahara, and serves as a powerful publicity tool for enhancing the city's appeal through its festivals. |
