Nagahama Hikiyama Festival: One of Japan's Three Greatest Float Festivals
Nagahama Hikiyama Festival
Festival Started by Hideyoshi
The Nagahama Hikiyama Festival is said to have originated in 1574 when Toyotomi Hideyoshi gave gold dust to Nagahama townspeople to celebrate his son's birth, and they used it to build festival floats (hikiyama).
Children's Kabuki
The festival's greatest highlight is "Children's Kabuki" where elementary school boys perform kabuki theater. The passionate performances of children on the gorgeous, elaborate floats move audiences.
Hikiyama Museum
The Hikiyama Museum in Nagahama displays 4 of the 13 existing hikiyama on a rotating basis each year. The floats with elaborate carvings and gold leaf decorations are highly regarded as works of art.
Nagahama Castle Town
Nagahama City is a historic town developed as a castle town by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The commercial area centered on Kurokabe Square features shops and galleries in old townhouses for enjoyable strolling.
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This article is compiled by the Tabitabi JAPAN editorial team from official and primary sources, including facility and shrine/temple websites, tourism information published by municipalities and tourism associations, and cultural-property records released by national and local governments. Prices, opening hours and event dates may change, so please also check the official information of each facility or local government before you visit.