VISIT TOTTORI CITY

The Wakasa Shrine Taisai (grand festival), commonly known as “Wakasa Matsuri,” is a traditional festival that has been taking place for around 360 years. The centerpiece of this grand festival is the Miyuki-sai held every two years on May 3, an important ritual in which the deity is carried through the town.

During the Miyuki-sai, a spectacular procession featuring a mikoshi (portable shrine) carrying the deity, as well as participants dressed in traditional attire, parade through the historic streets of Wakasajuku, and traditional lion dances are performed. The clanging and banging of gongs and Japanese drums, lively chants of “Chonyase, Chonyase,” and the laughter of the crowds echo through the streets, taking the festive atmosphere up another notch.

The climax of the festival takes place in the shrine grounds amid flickering torches. The sight of three mikoshi colliding fiercely with each other is both gallant and mysterious. It is truly the highlight of the festival and offers a vivid experience of Japan's traditional culture and strength.