The Hometown of Kōga Ninjas, Kōka City
Kōka City is famous as the birthplace of the Kōga-style ninjas, one of the most renowned ninja traditions in Japan, alongside the Iga style. The city boasts unique tourist attractions related to ninjas, including the Kōka no Sato Ninjutsu Village.
This village offers a vast, nature-rich setting where you can experience life as a ninja, complete with trick mansions, shuriken ranges, and ninja training grounds. The village hosts events that allow visitors, especially children, to experience ninja training, making it a must-visit attraction for families.
Quoted from the Kōka no Sato Ninjutsu Village Official Website
Let’s Go See the Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival
Location: Minakuchi Shrine
Date: April 19-20, annually
Access: A 3-minute walk from the “Minakuchi Jonan” station on the Ōmi Railway, or about a 10-minute drive from the Kōnan IC.
Website: Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival Official Website
The Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival is a parade of decorated floats, known as hikiyama, and is held in conjunction with the annual festival of Minakuchi Shrine. The festival, along with the “Minakuchi-bayashi” (a type of traditional Japanese music played during the event), was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Shiga Prefecture in 1985.
The festival kicks off on the 19th with the “Yomiyamatsuri” or “Night Festival.” During this event, a portable shrine (mikoshi) is decorated at Minakuchi Shrine, and the floats are adorned with lanterns in each neighborhood. The sound of evening festival music fills the air, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the town.
The origins of the festival date back to April 1735, during the mid-Edo period, when the local parishioners from nine villages constructed and dedicated new hikiyama to pray for the prosperity of their town. Currently, there are 16 existing hikiyama floats, the highest number in Japan. Historical records indicate that after the Kan’en period (1748-1751), the number of floats increased to about 30.
Quoted from the Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival Official Website
Beautiful Hikiyama Floats and the Unique “Minakuchi-bayashi” – Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival 2018 in Kōka City, Shiga Prefecture
The second day of the Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival showcases beautifully decorated hikiyama floats and the traditional dance, “Mantoden-gaku,” at the Kokuzō Shrine, known as “Otondo” in local dialect. The hikiyama are then adorned with further decorations and proceed to Minakuchi Shrine. Upon arrival at the shrine, a ceremonial service and the procession of a portable shrine (mikoshi) take place.
As evening falls, lanterns on the hikiyama are lit for the “Kaeriyama” or “Return Procession.” The illuminated hikiyama make their way back to their respective neighborhoods, presenting a beautiful spectacle as the festival draws to a close. The sight of the lantern-lit hikiyama is truly mesmerizing.
One of the unique aspects of the festival is the “Minakuchi-bayashi,” a traditional music performance played inside each hikiyama. Interestingly, both the name and melody of the “Minakuchi-bayashi” vary slightly across different neighborhoods. It is believed that these differences emerged as the tradition was passed down over the years. Each of the 17 neighborhoods in Minakuchi has its own distinct “Minakuchi-bayashi,” making it clear that there is no single, uniform version of this musical tradition.
Quoted from YouTube
A Festival Passed Down Through Generations
The Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival is a cherished event, with both the hikiyama and the “Minakuchi-bayashi” being carefully preserved and passed down through the generations. The festival is characterized by its vibrant hikiyama floats and the unique “Minakuchi-bayashi” music. We highly recommend visiting to experience the Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival firsthand.
Cover image courtesy of the Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival Official Website
(Edited by 千八乃)
