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Iida-cho Toroyama Matsuri

Guide

Iida-cho Toroyama Matsuri

8 min read

Event Overview

Located in Iida-cho, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the Iida-cho Toroyama Matsuri is a traditional float festival with over 370 years of history dating back to the Kan'ei era (1624ā€“1645). Held as a ritual for Kasuga Shrine, it is designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Suzu City and is also recognized as a 'Japan Heritage' site. The highlight is the massive 'Toroyama'ā€”giant lanterns standing approximately 16 meters tall and weighing about 5 tons. In recent years, there has been a dedicated effort to restore the festival's original splendor, including traditional dolls and decorations, making it a grand spectacle of local passion.

Highlights & How to Enjoy

The greatest charm of this festival is the harmony of the massive floats parading through the streets, the powerful rhythmic chants, and the music. As the floats move, the pullers coordinate their movements with shouts of 'Yassā-yassā' or 'Sā-yassā' to the beat of drums, bells, and flutes. A particularly thrilling moment is the 'Kyārage'ā€”the traditional rhythmic chanting used to start the movement of the heavy floats. On the night of July 20th, a fireworks display lights up the sky, creating a breathtaking scene alongside the illuminated floats. The atmosphere around Azumabashi Bridge, decorated with lights set up by local volunteers, adds to the magical experience.

Schedule

The festival takes place over two days, from July 20th to July 21st.

  • *July 19**: Eve Festival / Yoiyama (Evening parades through the town)
  • *July 20**: Osuzumi Matsuri (Main Procession)
  • Morning: Town parades
  • Around 2:00 PM: Gathering at Kasuga Shrine
  • Around 8:00 PM: Gathering at Azumabashi Bridge for the Toroyama parade and fireworks
  • *July 21**: Futsumatsuri (Joint Procession)
  • Around Noon: Gathering of floats from each neighborhood
  • All Day: Joint procession through 8 local districts
  • Late Night: Dissolution ceremony (continuing into the next morning)

Venue & Access

The festival is held around Iida-cho, Suzu City, Ishikawa. Access from distant locations:

  • *By Air**: Fly to Noto Satooyama Airport (approx. 1 hour from Haneda). From the airport, use a rental car, express bus, or 'Furusato Taxi' (requires reservation by 5:00 PM the previous day; estimated cost: 1,300 JPY per person) to reach Iida-cho.
  • *By Train/Bus**: From major hubs like Kanazawa, Nagoya, or Osaka, take an express bus toward Suzu. A common route from Kanazawa is to take an express bus to the Suzu City Hall or Suzunari stop.

Participation Tips

To fully immerse yourself, you can participate as a float puller. The system for the July 20th Toroyama parade is open to anyone. Additionally, the Iida-cho Festival Committee offers 'Happi' (traditional coats) for rent specifically on July 20th, but this requires a prior reservation/application at the 'Iida Waku Waku Hiroba' desk.

What to Bring, Clothing & Etiquette

Since the festival involves night parades and outdoor activities, please wear comfortable clothing. If you wish to rent a Happi coat, ensure you have made a reservation in advance. As the festival is managed by local residents, please be mindful of etiquette and take your trash home with you. For the latest updates and reservation details, please check the official information.