Written by Jane Pipkin
Researched by Alexandra Ziminski
One of Shiga‘s largest three festivals, the Ōtsu Hikiyama festival features a stunning display of elaborate floats paraded through the city streets.
What happens?
This UNESCO-recognized festival has a history stretching back more than 400 years and has been recognised as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property designated by the Japanese government.
Each hikiyama or float is fitted with karakuri puppets — mechanical dolls that perform short plays at several stops along the route.
The most famous float of the 13 is the Saigyo-Sakura-Tanuki-yama, which references the wandering poet Saigyō and his connection to cherry blossoms in folklore.
Schedule
The night before is a lively affair, and worth attending.
Saturday’s schedule starts at around 6 p.m. and Sunday’s activities start at 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
