Uneme Festival

A melancholy and sombre festival, the Uneme is also one of the most beautiful in Japan as lantern-lit boats glide across the Sarusawa Lake. Held in memory of Uneme, a court lady spurned by the Emperor and who drowned herself in the lake soon after. A procession of locals in full costume moves from JR Nara Station to the pond where a highly decorated dragon boat floats across the pond, making offerings to Uneme. The procession carriages will carry Miss Uneme Beauty Queens along with children in special attire. The parade will begin at 5pm from the station before making its way to the Kasenhono Station at Uneme Shrine (within Kasugataisha Shrine Grounds) and then the finale ceremony at Sarusawa Pond at 7pm.

(Lily Crossley-Baxter)