What is the Kihoku Lantern Festival? Are fireworks famous? Not just that! We will thoroughly explain the Kihoku Toro Festival 2023, which is called "Sea Nebuta"!
The Kihoku Toro Festival, a summer tradition in Kihoku KihokuTown, Mie Prefecture, offers beautiful scenery such as dynamic large lanterns and colorful fireworks that decorate the night sky. In this article, we will explain in detail the highlights of the Kihoku Toro Festival, also known as the ``Sea Nebuta'', how to access it, and information about stalls.
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▼Table of contents
- What is the Kihoku Lantern Festival?
- History of Kihoku Toro Festival
- Highlights of Kihoku Toro Festival 2023
- The sea nebuta “Great Toro” made by the townspeople
- Sea peacocks “fireworks” color the night sky
- A variety of “stage events”
- Will there be food stalls?
- Are there toilets at the venue?
- About access, parking, and traffic regulations
What is the Kihoku Lantern Festival?
The Kihoku Lantern Festival is a major summer event held once a year in Kihoku KihokuTown, located in the Higashikishu area of HigashiKishu Prefecture.
At the Kihoku Toro Festival, various events are held including stage events by local people. Of particular interest are the large lanterns, which are made by the townspeople working together, and the colorful fireworks. Each of them is worth seeing, but the combination of the ``large lantern'' and ``fireworks'' can be said to be synonymous with the Kihoku Toro Festival!
In the next chapter, we will introduce in detail the history and highlights of the festival that the townspeople have continued to protect.
Event overview
・This year's theme: ~Opening up the future~
・Venue: Kii nagashima Port
・Date: Saturday, July 22, 2023
Stage event: 17:00-20:00 (tentative)
Fireworks: 20:00-21:00 (tentative)
History of Kihoku Toro Festival
The Kihoku Toro Festival began in 1928 when the Young Men's Group floated hundreds of bird-shaped lanterns as part of the Akabane River opening event in the former nagashima town.
At that time, it was widely known throughout the country as a summer tradition in HigashiKishu, but due to reasons such as an exodus of young people and a lack of funding, it was finally discontinued in 1974 (Showa 49).
Time passes in 1987 (Showa 62). Young people, mainly from the youth division of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stood up and asked, ``What is something we can be proud of to the nation?'' Their passion for the future of the town and the revival of tradition led to the revival of the Toro Festival. The large lantern that was created was over 35 meters long, and it was revived for the first time in 13 years with an even more splendid appearance.
The photo above is the first large lantern "Ryu" after its revival! The powerful dragon's appearance conveys the power of ``From now on, we will continue to liven up KihokuTown through the festival!''
This year marks the 36th anniversary of its revival. The Toro Festival has been made possible through the cooperation of many people, mainly the townspeople.
The combination of the Saiun Kujaku fireworks, which can only be seen at the Kihoku Toro Festival, and the large lanterns floating on the sea has become synonymous with the festival.
In 2022, a photo posted on Twitter of the Kihoku Toro Festival fireworks attracted more than 14,000 likes, attracting attention.
(In the photo above, the 2017 large lantern ``Peacock'' with its spread wings is stunning!)
Highlights of the Kihoku Toro Festival
The Kihoku Toro Festival is a festival in which local people actively plan and participate, and people from various positions work together to create it, including partnerships with the government and cooperation with local businesses.
The large lanterns produced every year are based on the main characters of folk tales and lucky charms passed down in the town. Many people of all ages, men and women, work together to create this event, centered around the members of the executive committee.
In addition, nursery schools, kindergartens, elementary schools, and junior high schools in the town make box-shaped lanterns, and the festival has developed into an experience-based and interaction-based festival where everyone can create together.
Here we will introduce three highlights of the Kihoku Toro Festival.
The sea nebuta “Great Toro” made by the townspeople
↑Large lantern “Earth” in 2022
We make large lanterns based on a theme every year. On the day of the festival, you can enjoy a spectacular display of large lanterns floating on the sea, and fireworks up close.
This year's large lantern, which will be the 35th revival (canceled in 2020, scaled back in 2021), will be made into an "owl". The owl is famous as a bird that brings happiness, and is said to be a symbol of wisdom and trust, and a god of good fortune. Also, since they are nocturnal and can see well in the dark, they are said to be able to find good luck, have foresight, and have the power to turn things around.We believe in a bright future and will carve out a path to the future. It seems that this idea was put into it.
Production of the large lantern will begin in May. It's not made by professionals. People from all walks of life, from children to the elderly, come together to create large lanterns by combining their knowledge and skills. Please come to the venue and see the large lanterns filled with everyone's thoughts floating on the sea and shining brightly.
■Large lantern “Owl” (image is for illustrative purposes only)
・Size: Height 6.5m
・Weight: 1.5t
・Light bulbs: 350 pieces
Just by looking at the numbers, you can tell that the lantern is quite large. The theme will be decided around January or February of the year. After that, drawings were designed and materials were ordered, and production finally began in May, and the large lantern took about six months to take shape.
When you know about this process and look at it, it's moving to see a large lantern floating with the thoughts of many people on it.
Sea peacocks “fireworks” color the night sky
Approximately 3,000 fireworks are launched at the Kihoku Toro Festival, and the most notable is the fireworks program called ``Saiun Kujaku,'' which takes advantage of the topography of nagashima Port, where the fireworks are launched. The biggest highlight of the Kihoku Toro Festival is the performance of the large ``Sea Nebuta'' lanterns majestically moving across the sea and the Saiun Peacock.
The fireworks program for the Kihoku Toro Festival is created by members of the Fireworks Room of the Toro Festival Executive Committee. They are in charge of everything related to fireworks, including the colors and composition of the fireworks, and create programs.
*There are no paid seats or admission tickets for the fireworks. Admission is free.
*It is essential to reserve your spot early!
A variety of “stage events”
On the day of the event, stage events and hands-on events will be held at the venue.
●Stage event 17:00-20:00
The main stage will enliven the festival with candy throwing, KIHOKU Sentai Ababaine Show, and a stage performance by Mie High School Dance Club.
●Experience event (in front of Mie Gaiwan Fisheries Cooperative Association nagashima office) 14:00-16:00
You can experience making bamboo lights to decorate the venue and making strips of paper to hang on lanterns.
Participation fee: Free *Preschool children must be accompanied by a guardian.
●Machiakari Square
The town light plaza will be decorated with 400 lanterns, box-shaped lanterns, mini lanterns, bamboo lights, etc., illuminating the venue.
Be sure to make memories of the festival♪
We will add details about stage events as they become available.
Will there be food stalls?
There will be food stalls at the Kihoku Toro Festival in 2023.
Kogu artists and local businesses are scheduled to open stalls.
Are there toilets at the venue?
This is not decided yet, so I will update as soon as I know!
About access, parking, and traffic regulations
The venue is nagashima Port in nagashima, KihokuTown.
Access by public transportation
Approximately 15 minutes walk from nagashima Station on the JR Kisei Line
(This is a stop for the limited express Nanki, but the frequency is small, so please leave plenty of time for your trip!)
・About 2 hours from Nagoya
・About 1 hour from Tsu
・About 1 hour from Ise
Access by car
Approximately 5 minutes by car from Kisei Expressway "nagashima IC"
・About 2 hours from Nagoya
・About 1 hour from Tsu
・About 1 hour from Ise
About parking lot
・Free parking lot: Approximately 1,000 spaces (planned)
*Please note that vehicles parked in the venue parking lot will not be able to be moved until 22:30 (scheduled).
About traffic regulations
This is not decided yet, so I will update as soon as I know!
How was it
How was it? In this article, we have explained the ``Kihoku Toro Festival 2023'', a major event that colors the summer sea in Kihoku KihokuTown.
As I was writing this article, I felt that the festival was made up of the local people's passionate desire to liven up KihokuTown.
The biggest highlight is the collaboration between the sea nebuta ``Great Toro'' and the sea peacock ``Hanabi'' which is worth seeing! Why not take this opportunity to visit and make summer memories at the Kihoku Toro Festival 2023, which is filled with the thoughts of everyone KihokuTown?
[Inquiries regarding the Kihoku Lantern Festival]
KihokuTown Toro Festival Executive Committee (inside Fureai Plaza “Mandoro”)
TEL080-8705-2612 FAX050-3488-1769
E-mail kihokutourou@gmail.com
Homepage https://www.touroumaturi.com/
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