January
Yumikou (弓講) at Hashirida Shrine
Yumikou is a sacred traditional archery ritual, held on the thirteenth day of January at Hashirida shrine (走田神社). The Takahashi family who used to own Okukaiinji castle, perform this ritual to ensure good fortune for the whole year.
February
Setsubun Sai (節分祭) at Nagaoka Tenmangu
Setsubun is an old ritual of throwing roasted soy beans to prevent ogres from coming into ones home on February 3rd. This marks the transition from winter to spring, known as Risshun (立春) on the old Japanese calendar. Males and females who were born in a year with the same Chinese zodiac sign and invited guests throw roasted beans at the costumed ogres at Nagaoka Tenman-gu..
Gomadaki (護摩焚) at Yanagidani Kannon Youkokuji Temple
Gomadaki is a traditional event from Edo period. People write their name and a wish down on a paper doll shaped like a person representing themselves and burn them to prevent from bad luck and to get good fortune. Mountain priests come from Mt. Oomine to Yanagidani Kannon Youkoku-ji Temple and hold Gomadaki on 17 February every year. This event is known as Gomadaki Kuyou (護摩焚供養).
March
Hinamatsuri (Girls Doll Festival) (ひなまつり) at Fureai Machiya
March 3rd, Japanese celebrates the Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri), known as Girls festival. Families who have girls arrange their Emperor and Empress dolls dressed like court nobles from the Heian period (A.D. 794-1185). This celebration might have started in the Edo period. The doll arrangements are sometimes seven or eight steps high. At Fureai Machiya, there are many different styles of Hina dolls which are rented from citizens and displayed. Fureai Machiya, located along Saigoku Kaidou is a 165-years-old house and is itself an interesting place to visit.
Baika sai (梅花祭) at Nagaoka Tenmangu
Ume(Japanese plum) blossom festival. There are about 17 different kinds and over 100 Ume blossoms in a part of Nagaoka Tenmangu in fact, this is part of Tenmangu is known as Bai En (Japanese plum garden梅園). The Tenmangu crest is a shape of Ume flower. You can attend a tea ceremony on this festival day.
April
Digging Takenoko Experience – harvest bamboo shoots (たけのこ掘り体験) at a Bamboo field
It is like treasure hunting! As you know our bamboo shoots are cultivated before sunrise, which means they have a great taste. Every April, we have the digging Takenoko experience. Please make an advance appointment and enjoy the hunt!
April – May
Haru no Kankou Matsuri & Takenoko Festa (春の観光祭&たけのこフェスタ)
Kirishima tsutsuji (azalea) at Tenmangu and a peony garden at Otokuni Temple flower beautifully. Kirishima tsutsuji is specially a symbol flower of Nagaokakyo. At Nagaoka Tenmangu, there is a Takenoko Festa during Spring Festival (April to early May). You can walk by a gorgeous red azalea wall and enjoy markets. It is an easy walk between Tenmangu and Otokuni Temple. Come and feel the spring time here!
June
Ajisai Matsuri (Hydrangea festival) (あじさい祭)at Yanagidani Kannon
There are about 5000 colourful hydrangeas in Yanagidani Kannon Youkoku-ji and they are in bloom from the end of June. There are special events and markets held there.
July
Summer Night Cafe (サマーナイトカフェ) at Bambio Square
There are some cafs and live music performances at Bambio Square. Come and have a cozy summer time on selected days.
August
Hachijoga ike Natsu Tourou (Lantern festival at Hachijoga-ike pond)(八条ヶ池夏灯籠)& Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festival) (夏祭り) at Nagaoka Tenmangu
The Nagaoka Temmangu Summer Festival features Bon Odori(Bon dance 盆踊り), Rokusai Nenbutsu, and Japanese Taiko performances as well as night markets with many stalls including gold fish catching! The tourism association sponsors an event that will feature sending off candle-lit bottles from the bridge on Hachijoga-ike Pond. Many people come and visit Nagaoka Tenmangu to enjoy the market and performances.
September
Meigetu no Utage (名月の宴) at Shouryuji castle park
Traditional Japanese performances including Koto(琴), Shigin(詩吟) and Nihon buyou(日本舞踊) at Shouryuji castle park.
Meigetsu sai (名月祭)at Nagaoka Tenmangu
After a ritual, an ancient court music performance and a tea ceremony are held under the beautiful moon.
October
Bamboo Asobi (竹遊び) at Nagaoka Park(at the back of Nagaoka Tenmangu)
Bamboo is our regional speciality! There are toys and stalls related to Bamboo and about 3000 bamboo lanterns at nighttime. Enjoy!
Cosmos Festival
You can see colourful cosmos flowers and enjoy markets at Youkoku-ji. Cosmos picking and mini morning markets are planned for the 2nd parking lot of the Yanagitani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple.
Garasha Matsuri(ガラシャ祭)
Illumination at Bambio Square(イルミネーション)