- Miya Festival
- [Gamagori-City]
- Date : 10/17/2020 to 10/18/2020
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- 【Miya Festival, one of the strangest festivals in the world, with over 300 years of history】
(Origin) In 1696, the Miya Village headman, Sazaemon, dreamt that the Daimojin (the great illumined deity) of the Yatsurugi-jinja Shrine that stands in the center of the village visited the Wakamiya-jinja Shrine at the east of the village on a portable shrine. He considered it a divine message, and carried the spirit of the deity of the Yatsurugi-jinja Shrine on a portable shrine to the Wakamiya-jinja Shrine. This is said to be the beginning of the Miya Festival. (Transitions) Although the float was not pulled into the sea after 1960 due to the reclamation of Miya Bay, it was revived in 1996, when it celebrated the 300th anniversary since the start of the Miya Festival. The venue was designated in an area roughly 300 meters below Miya Onsen.
The Miya Festival is a grand festival held jointly by the Yatsurugi-jinja Shrine and Wakamiya-jinja Shrine in Miya-cho of Gamagori City.
The ritual of the portable shrine procession is held on a Sunday in mid October every year, following a Shigaku Festival on the previous day. Shrine parishioners from the six districts within the town dedicate a unique dance as they parade, and floats from each district are pulled between the Yatsurugi-jinja Shrine and Wakamiya-jinja Shrine.
A major highlight of the Main Festival is when the four floats are pulled into the sea. This event, called the Kaichu Togyo, is what shows the unity and passion the Miya-cho residents have for the grand festival, and this is why it is known as one of the strangest festivals in the world.
As the saying goes, "those who have never seen the festival are fools, and those who have seen it twice ...", the Kaichu Togyo of the Miya Festival is a famous event of the Mikawa region. The beach in Miya is filled with enthusiasm and energy when the half-naked men pull the four floats into the sea with loud calls and splashes. The sight of floats parading in the sea is overwhelming and impressive. Another feature of the Miya Festival is the parade of floats from each of the six districts from the gates of both shrines to the altar in the order of the rituals that take place. In the parade are Kuguri-daiko drumming, Susanoo dance, children's dance, Yakko (samurai attendants), Shinto music and dance, Shichifukujin (seven gods of good luck), Renjishi (lion dance) etc., and traditional performing arts are dedicated by people wearing gorgeous costumes.
The festival dates on which the Kaichu Togyo is held are subject to change due to the tide, but it is basically held on the 3rd Sunday and Saturday or the 4th Sunday and Saturday of October.
Photo Gallery
Photo
Festival Overview
Overview
| Date | 10/17/2020 to 10/18/2020 |
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| Venue | Nanaho 139, Miya-cho, Gamagori City, etc. |
| Parking | Free (cap. 300 cars) |
| Phone number | ０５３３―６７―１７６３（Miya Festival Preservation Association Secretariat within Miya Community Hall） |
Access / Map
Access / Map
| Access by public transport | Approx. 20 minutes' walk from JR Tokaido Main Line Mikawa-Miya Station. |
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| Access by car | Approx. 15 minutes by car from Tomei Expressway Otowa-Gamagori Exit. |