"Wasse, wasse!" Hear the townsmen chant as they purify a mikoshi under the Shirataki Waterfall.
Mikoshi no Takiabi Festival
Categories:   Traditional, Things to Do
For this annual festival, townsmen gather at 7 a.m. to parade a mikoshi, portable shrine, through the surrounding neighborhood. After a morning of heavy lifting, they finish at the basin of the Shirataki Falls behind Shirataki Shrine where they carry the mikoshi through its waters to purify it.
Take the JR Gono Line to Higashi-Hachimori Station. From there, Shirataki Shrine is about a 20-minute walk. Parking alongside the road is also an option for those driving.
Festival Dates: August 1st
How to Participate in the Mikoshi Waterfall Festival
Date and Time: Thursday, August 1st 2024, 6:30 AM at Shirataki Shrine.
We will parade through the town in the morning. The mikoshi waterfall bathing will take place around 1:00 PM at Shirataki, followed by mikoshi clean-up. The event is expected to conclude around 2:00 PM.
Costume Fee: 3,000 yen (includes white robe (top and bottom), headband, tabi socks, sandals, and cleaning fee) Costumes will be distributed at the gathering place on the morning of the event. Please pay the 3,000 yen fee at that time.
Social Gathering: Starts at 4:30 PM, participation fee is between 2,000 and 3,000 yen. The venue is ‘Hachimori Multipurpose Hall’.
Facilities: Showers are not available. Please bring your own bath towel and a change of clothes.
Transportation: Please arrange your own transportation. Alcohol may be available at rest stops, so please be mindful if you choose to drink.
Additional Tips: We recommend bringing a white face towel to reduce the burden on your shoulders when carrying the mikoshi.
Since the costume is a white robe, it is advisable to wear white underwear.
All instructions on the day will be in Japanese.
Information Required for Registration
*Email your application to this address with the following information
✉ info@visitshirakami.com
Name:
Size of Tabi Socks: __ cm
Costume Size: M/L
Attendance at the post-festival gathering: Yes/No
Details
- Postal Code
- 018-2500
- Address
- 10 Hachimoritate, Happo, Yamamoto, Akita
- Parking
- Free Parking Available