Shirohachimanguu Taisai Festival in Ajigasawa Town 白八幡宮大祭IN青森県鯵ヶ沢町
The Shiro-Hachimanguu Festival in Ajigasawa Town takes place only once every 4 years. It is a rare sight to see, even for those living in Japan.
Said to have originated from Kyoto’s Gion Festival over 300 years ago, the festival features hundreds of townspeople dressed in traditional ceremonial clothing and carrying weapons like swords, spears, bows, and even muskets. Two portable shrines (Omikoshi in Japanese) are carried at the head of the parade, while 10 floats (called Yama) carrying the young bell ringer girls (called Miyabi) follow at the end. Each day has different events, including dancing and a parade through the bay on boats.
