"Discover the Thrilling Niihama Taiko Festival: Your Guide to the 2024 Schedule, Highlights, and Must-See Events."
Discover the vibrant Niihama Taiko Festival in Ehime Prefecture! This article provides an overview of this exciting event held in my hometown. For detailed information, including traffic regulations and parking, be sure to download the official pamphlet from the Niihama City website. Pamphlets are also available at convenience stores during the festival.
https://www.city.niihama.lg.jp/soshiki/kankou/taikomatsuri.html
Be sure to check out the recommended schedule and additional information, and come visit the Niihama Taiko Festival!
The Niimihama Taiko Festival
The Niimihama Taiko Festival is held annually over three days from October 16th to 18th. During the festival, massive, ornate floats called "taiko-dai" are carried through the streets by approximately 150 men. These taiko-dai, each weighing 2.5 tons and measuring 5.4 meters in height and 11 meters in length, are owned by local communities and there are a total of 54 in Niimihama City. (Note: The Ohshoin district holds their festival from October 15th to 17th.)
About the fight at the Niihama Taiko Festival
The Niimihama Taiko Festival was historically known for its spirited competitions that included "hatchiawase," a practice where the massive floats were intentionally collided, and "izari," fights between participants. These practices, while adding a level of intensity to the festival, also posed serious risks to participants and spectators. As a result, these activities have been strictly prohibited. While it may be challenging for visitors to anticipate such incidents, it is crucial to exercise caution and avoid areas where these prohibited activities may occur. The Upper District and Daishoin District have implemented measures to prevent such incidents, ensuring a safer and more controlled festival experience. Please be aware that any float involved in prohibited activities is subject to immediate dismantling and may be banned from future festivals.
Introduction to the Four Districts of the Niihama Taiko Festival
Niihama City is divided into four main districts, each with its unique characteristics and cultural traditions, even though they all participate in the same festival.
Kawahigashi District (East of the Koryo River)
Comprising 17 taiko-dai (floats), this district is located east of the Koryo River. The floats in this area are generally larger in size and often move together as a group, creating a truly impressive spectacle. Both participants and spectators enjoy the festival to the fullest, and residents of this district are known for their deep love of the taiko festival. If you want to experience the essence of the Niihama Taiko Festival, this is the district for you. Although it is the least populated area in Niihama City, it offers must-see events such as the Takihama Station and Hachiman Shrine contests, making it an enjoyable experience for tourists.
Kawanishi District (West of the Koryo River)
Located west of the Koryo River, this district has 13 taiko-dai. It is the most central district in Niihama City. This district is characterized by a large number of participants and spectators, smaller-sized taiko-dai compared to other districts, and frequent disputes. In 2022 there were incidents involving people from outside the city participating solely to cause trouble, leading to unfortunate events involving spectators. While most of the taiko-dai in this district are well-managed, the current situation makes it inadvisable for tourists to visit due to the risk of injury.
Joubu District (South of the Railway)
This district, located south of the railway, has the largest number of taiko-dai with 20. Many of the taiko-dai in this district prioritize the skill of carrying the float. The district also hosts the "Yamane Ground Touitsuyose," the largest event of the Niihama Taiko Festival. As the emphasis is on the skill of carrying the floats rather than disputes, this district is highly recommended for tourists. The district offers several must-see events, including the Yamane Ground Touitsuyose, the Uchinomiya Shrine Kakiage, and the Ohshoin and Nakahagi District night taiko performance, which will be introduced later.
Ohjoin District
This district is the only one that holds its festival from October 15th to 17th and has four taiko-dai. Bordering Saijo City, the district's guardian deity, Iizumi Shrine, is located in Saijo City. Therefore, except for the Ohshoin and Nakahagi District night taiko performance on the 16th, the district participates in the festival with taiko-dai from Saijo City. Along with the Upper District, this district places a strong emphasis on the skill of carrying the floats. The four taiko-dai in the Ohshoin District are among the best in Niihama City.
Kakikurabe
Kakikurabe is a competition where participants carry massive, ornate floats called taiko-dai on their shoulders. These floats, normally equipped with wheels for transportation, are lifted off the ground and carried by a team of men. The teams compete in various categories, including the duration of the carry, the skill of tossing and swinging the float, and the appearance of the decorative tassels.
In the Joubu and Ohshoin districts, a unique technique called "yose-daiko" is performed, where multiple taiko-dai are brought together and lifted simultaneously, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
Where to Experience the Best of Kakikurabe
Since the Niihama Taiko Festival is divided into four districts, kakikurabe events are held simultaneously in different locations. While it's impossible to see everything, here are some tips to help you make the most of your time.
October 16th
Uchinomiya Shrine Kakiage
Date: October 16th
Time: 4:00 AM onwards
Location: Uchinomiya Shrine, 10-3 Yamagencho, Niiihama City
District: Joubu District, Sumino
Recommended Level: ★★★
Witness the awe-inspiring sight of four taiko-dai (festival floats) from the Sumino district - Shinden, Nakasuji, Kitauchi, and Kikouji - being carried up a steep 300-meter stone staircase. As the taiko-dai pass through the torii gate and ascend the hill, you'll be captivated by their majestic presence.
The Uchinomiya Shrine Kakiage is often featured in the news as the official kick-off to the Niiihama Taiko Festival. It draws large crowds of eager spectators, creating an electric atmosphere.
While this event is highly recommended, there are a few things to keep in mind for visitors:
Limited Viewing Space: The viewing area is quite narrow, with spectators standing along the sides of the stone staircase. The ground can be uneven, so please exercise caution.
Large Crowds: Due to the popularity of this event, expect large crowds.
Tips for Visitors:
Arrive Early: To secure a good viewing spot, arrive well before the event starts.
Wear Comfortable Shoes: The ground can be uneven, so wear sturdy shoes.
Be Mindful of Others: Be aware of your surroundings and respect the space of other spectators.
Capture the Moment: Bring your camera to capture this unforgettable spectacle.
Hagioka Shrine Miyamairi (Shrine Visit)
Date: October 16th
Time: From 4:00 AM
Location: Hagioka Shrine, 1161-2 Hagioka, Niihama City
District: Joubu District, Nakahagi
Recommended Level: ☆☆
Taiko-dai (festival floats) from the Nakahagi district, whose guardian shrine is Hagioka Shrine, ascend a steep slope leading to the shrine. Despite the incline, the bearers skillfully carry the floats, even performing the impressive "yose-daiko" (combined lifting) technique.
Compared to Uchimoniya Shrine, the crowd at Hagioka Shrine is smaller, allowing for a more relaxed and safer viewing experience.
If you're looking for a more serene and safe viewing experience, Hagioka Shrine Miyairi is an excellent choice. It offers a unique perspective on the Niimihama Taiko Festival, showcasing the skill and dedication of the participants.
Tenjinhama Street Kakikurabe
Date: October 16th
Time: 6:00 PM onwards
Location: Tenjinhama Street, 3-4 Takihama, Niihama City
District: Kawhigashi District (excluding KawhigashiEast and West sub-districts)
Recommended Level: ☆
This kakikurabe features 9 taiko-dai from the Kawhigashi district (excluding the eastern and western sub-districts). While not all taiko-dai will be carried without wheels, the event offers a spacious area for a relaxed evening of festival fun. Fans of the Kawahigashi district should definitely attend!
Ohjoin and Nakahagi Districts Night Taiko
Date: October 16th
Time: From 6:00 PM
Location: Fresh Value Ohjoin Store,
District: Nakahagi and Ohjoin, Joubu District
Recommended Level: ★★★
Experience the thrill of the night taiko performance featuring 4 taiko-dai from the Ohjoin,district and 7 from the Nakahagi district.
The Highlight: Yose-daiko
The main attraction of this event is the "yose-daiko," where all 11 taiko-dai are lifted simultaneously in a breathtaking display of strength and coordination. Be prepared to be amazed by this impressive feat!
If you're looking for a truly unforgettable experience, the Ohjoin and Nakahgi Districts Night Taiko is a must-see. The combined power and beauty of the 11 taiko-dai make this event a highlight of the Niihama Taiko Festival.
October 17th
Riverbank Park Kakikurabe
Date: October 17th
Time: From 9:50 AM
Location: Kokuryo River Park, 13 Minamikomatsubara-cho, Niihama City
District: Kawahigashi District
Recommended Level: ☆☆
Witness the thrilling kakikurabe competition featuring 17 taiko-dai from the Kawatonami district.
Spacious Venue: The vast riverbed park provides ample space for comfortable viewing.
Grand Gathering: All 17 taiko-dai gather before entering the park, creating an impressive procession.
Unique Tradition: Experience the unique tradition of the Kawatonami district, where taiko-dai parade in a long line.
Ikku no Yashiro Museum
Date: October 17th
Time: 10:30 AM onwards
Location: Ikku Shrine, 1-3-1 Ichinomiya-cho, Niihama City
District: Kawanishi District
Recommended Level: ☆☆
The Ikku no Yashiro Museum offers a unique and comfortable way
to experience the Niihama Taiko Festival. As the only paid event of the festival, it provides reserved seating for spectators.
Comfort and Convenience: Enjoy the festival without the crowds.
Premium Viewing: Get the best seats in the house for an up-close view of the action.
Support the Festival: Purchasing a ticket helps support the continuation of this traditional event.
*In 2024, the event will be held for two days, from 10:30 on October 17th and 14:30 on October 18th.
Jobu District Yamane Ground Unified Gathering
Date: October 17th
Time: From 1:00 PM
Location: Yamane Ground, 3-11 Sumino, Shinden-cho, Niihama City
District: Joubu District
Recommended Level: ☆☆☆+
This is the grandest event of the Niihama Taiko Festival. If you were to choose only one event to attend, the Yamane Ground Unified Gathering would be the one!
Largest Gathering: Witness a gathering of 20 taiko-dai, the most of any event in the festival.
Spectacular Performances: Be amazed by the impressive performances, especially the Nakahagi district's acts, which are often featured in promotional videos.
Diverse Program: Experience the full range of the festival, from the entrance of child taiko-dai to large-scale combined lifts and competitions.
Tips for Visitors:
Early Arrival: To secure a seat, arrive as early as 6:00 AM.
Flexible Viewing: Even without a seat, you can enjoy the energetic atmosphere near the taiko-dai.
Immersive Experience: Feel the power and excitement of the festival firsthand.
If you're looking for an unforgettable experience of the Niihama Taiko Festival, the Yamane Ground Unified Gathering is a must-see. This event encapsulates the essence of the festival, offering a truly spectacular display of tradition, skill, and community spirit.
Takihama Station Kakikurabe
Date: October 17th
Time: From 4:30 PM
Location: Takihama Station, 1 Matano, Niihama City
District: KawahigashiDistrict
Recommended Level: ☆☆☆
This is one of the most exciting events in the Kawahigashii district.
Each taiko-dai enters the competition one by one, showcasing their unique and impressive performances in a short but impactful time frame. With the complete closure of the national highway, you can experience a truly extraordinary atmosphere.
Note: In 2023, a joint event for the Kawahigashi district started at 4:30 PM, followed by the kakikurabe competition at 5:20 PM.
If you're looking for a high-energy and visually stunning event, the Takihama Station Kakikurabe is a must-see. This is a great opportunity to experience the heart and soul of the Niihama Taiko Festival.
October 18th
Oehama Kakikurabe
Date: October 17th
Time: 8:30 AM onwards
Location: 21 Minatomachi, Niihama City
District: Kawanishi District
Recommended Level: ☆☆
Experience the unique atmosphere of the Oehama Kakikurabe, where taiko-dai adorned with colorful fishing flags create a vibrant and festive scene.
Safety First: Due to the frequent collisions, it is essential to maintain a safe distance from the taiko-dai.
Ikku Shrine Kakikurabe
Date: October 18th
Time: From 2:30 PM
Location: 1-3-1 Ichinomiya-cho, Niihama City
District: Kawanishi District
Recommended Level: ☆☆
This is the final event of the Kawanshi district, marking the grand entrance of the taiko-dai into the Ikku Shrine. The sight of all the taiko-dai gathered together in the shrine is truly impressive.
Important Note:
Crowded Conditions: Due to the limited space and large crowds, viewing conditions may be challenging.
Safety Concerns: For tourists, the Hachiman is recommended for a safer and more comfortable viewing experience.
Hachiman Shine Kakikurabe
Date: October 18th
Time: From 14:00
Location: 2-4-69, Hachiman, Niihama City
District: Kawahigashi District
Recommended Level: ☆☆☆
This is the final event of the Kawahigashi district. Compared to the Ikku Shrine, the is much larger Hachiman Shine, making it easier to view the taiko-dai without feeling crowded. The long stretch that the taiko-dai are carried provides a great opportunity to appreciate the effort and skill of the bearers. The sight of the illuminated taiko-dai at night, lined up in the shrine, is truly magnificent. This is the perfect way to conclude the Niihama Taiko Festival!
Recommendation:
If you're looking for a more spacious and comfortable viewing experience, the Hachiman Shine Kakikurabe is an excellent choice. The combination of the large shrine, long carrying distance, and nighttime illumination makes this event a fitting finale to the festival.
Recommended Itinerary
Yellow indicates required events. You can also check the calendar from the link above. It contains detailed information such as traffic information and precautions, so please refer to it if you like. Select "October 2024" in the date change section at the top. After that, it will be easier to see if you change the display to "week" in the upper right corner of the page.
4:00AM Uchinomiya Shine Kakiage
18:00PM Ohjoin Nakahagi Naight Taiko
17th
9:30 AM Riverbank Park Kakikurabe
1:00 PM Jobu District Yamane Ground Unified Gathering
16:30 PM Takihama Station Kakikurabe
18th
9:00 AM Oehama Kakikurabe
2:00 PM Hachiman Shine Kakikurabe
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1b8lm_0APIq6c_hWNMcYssh_ENnz9A66R&usp=sharing
Transportation to Niihama Taiko Festival
Most Niihama residents travel by bicycle or on foot to watch the taiko festivals in their own districts.
If you plan to visit multiple districts, as suggested in our model schedule, you should be aware that Niihama City has only three train stations. This limits the number of events accessible by train. Traveling by car is generally a better option. However, please note that there are often no official parking lots, and traffic congestion is common due to the taiko-dai traveling on roads. Additionally, traffic restrictions can be in place, which may cause some inconvenience.
Consider using public transportation such as buses or taxis as an alternative to driving your own car or renting one. You can find bus timetables and taxi company contact information in the Niihama City pamphlet:
https://www.city.niihama.lg.jp/uploaded/life/116839_574340_misc.pdf
Supplement
Section 1: Choosing Between Uchinomiya Shrine and Hagioka Shrine on the First Day (Morning of Day 16)
If you want to experience the grandeur of the festival, even with larger crowds, Naiku Shrine is recommended. However, if you prefer a more peaceful and safer environment, Hagioka Shrine is a better choice.
Section 2: Activities on the Afternoon of Day 16
After the events at Uchinomiya Shrine and Hagioka Shrine, there won't be any major events until evening. During this time, each taiko-dai will be participating in local community gatherings or parades within their districts.
You could add information about the "omatsuri shukai" (festival gatherings), such as "These gatherings are held at local elementary and middle schools and provide a valuable opportunity for children to interact with the taiko-dai."
Section 3: Riverbed Park Kakikurabe on Day 17
Although the event starts at 10 AM, the taiko-dai will start gathering around 9 AM on the street in front of the Workers' Accident Compensation Hospital. The procession is quite impressive, so it's worth arriving early.
Section 4: Jobu District Yamane Ground Unified Gathering
People start reserving spots at 6am. Yamane Ground has stone steps where you can sit and watch. If you want to take your time watching, it may be a little intimidating, but it's best to get up early.
Also, from 12pm the children's taiko floats will begin to enter the venue. Come and see the children who carry the future of Niihama on their shoulders!
Section 5:Clothing
It gets quite chilly in the mornings and evenings, and hot during the day.
It's best to wear clothes that can handle both.
Section 6:Rain
In recent years, it has become more common for the festival to rain during the period.
When it rains, the drums are covered with large plastic sheets, making them a little harder to see, but the event will go ahead as scheduled unless the rain is typhoon-level.
If you go to watch the festival when it is raining, please wear a clear plastic umbrella or raincoat (a colored umbrella will prevent you from seeing people behind you, so use a clear plastic umbrella).
Your body will get quite cold, so after the event is over, return to your hotel and take a nice, relaxing bath.
Section 7:Smoking
Smoking etiquette in Niihama City is very bad. There are people smoking even in the crowds at festivals. The government and organizing committee do not regulate this, so tourists will be quite surprised by the bad manners.
Please be careful if you are visiting with children. We also ask tourists to smoke with good manners.
Section 8:Recommended spots
Here are some places to enjoy lunch and dinner during the day on the 16th. (I'm not sure if they will be open during the festival, so please check before visiting... sorry.)
・マイントピア別子
・東洋のマチュピチュ
https://besshi.com/sangyoisan/tonaru/
・あかがねミュージアム
・近藤酒造株式会社・
・愛媛県総合科学博物館
・うどん茶屋志道（うどん）
・濃厚魚介らぅ麺 純 （じゅん）（ラーメン）
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4HXvaCiC8dQ7Gv9Z7
・からあげやカリッジュ 本店 （からあげ）
・ルミーノカリーノ（イタリアン）
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yej8HwHpX2TS63Tt6
・堤亭（居酒屋）
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JH9jHtabzxiVevJb8
・どんどん（うどん）
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GRLm8Rzj8PFJYnQr7
・カフェラミール（カフェ）
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ytrYVhU9tkGWLKhn7
・マルブン新居浜店（ピザ）
https://marubun8.com/store_detail.php?ini=2
・がんば亭（うどん）
・たくろうちゃん（居酒屋）
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8soXG1w9sGas7Mzw9
・天福来 慶兆（天ぷら）
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GSAHwoPkySXFQevQ7
・おもっせい（居酒屋）
・すし若（寿司、居酒屋）
https://sushi-waka.com/