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| Hatsu ichi | |||||
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In the season when a piercing wind blows down from Mt. Nantai, lively street stalls stand in a row along Kamikawahara street. The street is filled with enthusiasm of people seeking for local good-luck articles such as traditional New Year’s decorations. January 11th |
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| Otariya | |||||
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The rite had been held for glorifying god till in the middle of Heian period and held for a fire prevention since then. It is held from evening and portable shrines are carried through the center of the city. January 15th |
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| Daidaikagura | |||||
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Kagura is a sacred music and dancing performed at Shrines for God. Daidai Kagura has been held since the middle of the Edo period. It is held on each 28th in January, May and September. It is an Intangible cultural asset designated by Utsunomiya city. January 28th |
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| Hana ichi | |||||
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Street stalls stand along the front approach to Futaarayama shrine at the festival and local good luck articles are sold. February 1st |
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| Tata Kagura of Yasaka shrine | |||||
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This Kagura was take over from Kanda Shrine’s by the priest of Yasaka shrine in Edo period. It is an Intangible cultural asset designated by Utsunomiya city. Last Sunday of February |
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| Cherry Blossom Festival | |||||
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Cherry blossom festivals are held in each place where cherry blossoms are in bloom such as Hachiman yama Park featuring 700 cherry trees, Mt. Tage and Shinkawa Channel. You can enjoy the sight of cherry blossoms illuminated with paper-covered lanterns in the evening. early April |
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| Tamai festival of Horigome at Futaarayama shrine | |||||
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Tamai is a traditional ethnic performing arts and it is called “Dengakumai” at Futaarayamashrine. It is said that Dengakumai took place to pray for a good harvest at Tamai festivals in Edo period. Present Dengakumai at Futaarayamashrine is taken over from the itinerant entertainers of Nikko to the 6 farmers of Horigome, sacred place of Futaarayama shrine in Edo period. May 15th |
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| Chinowa-Kuguri | |||||
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It is one of the ceremonies called “Oharae” and takes place on the last day of both June and December at Futaarayama shrine. Chinowa is a hoop made of miscanthus and its diameter is 2 meters. People pass through the hoop praying for a good health at the ceremony. June 30th |
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| Tennou Festival | |||||
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The festival is held in July at Suka shrine located in the precincts of Futaarayama shrine. The highlight of the festival is the first meeting of the parent and child portable shrines. About 40 child shrines from each town are carried through out the center of the city and they finally meet the parent shrine dedicated to Futaarayama shrine. You can’t miss the sight of child shrines carried up the stairs at a stretch of Futaarayama shrine. July 15th to 20th |
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| Miya-festival | |||||
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It is one of the biggest festivals in northern Kanto area and held around the main street of Utsunomiya, by the theme “Happy encounter and contact”. About 80 portable shrines are carried thorough the center of the city in 2 days and you can enjoy ethnic performing arts, festival music and dance and stalls open on the street. First Saturday and Sunday of August |
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| Shishimai | |||||
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It is a dance performed in a lion’s mask as an act of exorcism and held in Nissato, Sekibori, Iiyama and Kamiyokokura town. They are designated as an intangible cultural asset. during Bon Festival in August |
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| Kagura of Kawaraya | |||||
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Kagura is sacred traditional music and dancing performed at shrines. This Kagura is composed of several kinds of program such as a dance of long-nosed goblin called “Tengno mai” and dedicated to Hirano Shrine. Also, Rice cakes and oranges are scattered for warding of evil. Kagura preserving society has been organized and bringing up successors. January 5th |
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| Kikusui-festival | |||||
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It is the main festival of Futaarayama shrine. The deity enshrined is Toyokiirihiko no mikoto and the object of worship is set up on “Hohren”, a kind of vehicle used for the Emperor’s ceremony, and Hohren is carried through the center of Utsunomiya. Horseback archery is also performed. The last Saturday and Sunday of October |
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| The bicycle road race of Japan Cup | |||||
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Cycle racers from all parts of the world participate in the race held in Utsunomiya to compete for the fastest. The ups and downs of the course around the forest park inspire the fighting spirit of the racers. Late October |
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| Gyoza festival | |||||
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This festival has been held since 1999. You can enjoy not only Utsunomiya gyoza but also dumpling-like food from around the world. Gyoza eating competition of this festival is well known. First Saturday and Sunday of November |
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| Otariya | |||||
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Otariya is held in the evening in January and December at Futaarayama shrine. Charms and Dharma dolls offered through the year are burnt in December and traditional New Year’s decorations are burnt in January at Otariya. Visitors get the smoke on their heads and it is believed to be good for health and fire prevention.（） December 15th |
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