Guide
Seihakusai Festival (Daijishu Shrine)
6 min readEvent Overview
The Seihakusai Festival is the most grand spring celebration in the Noto region, held at Daijushu Shrine (Sanno Shrine) in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The name 'Seihaku' comes from the ritual of offering sacred food on green oak (Kashiwa) leaves. This festival is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, representing a vital piece of Japan's living cultural history.
Highlights & How to Enjoy
The absolute highlight is the procession of the 'Deka-yama'—colossal ceremonial floats. These massive structures stand 12m tall, weigh 20 tons, and feature wheels 2m in diameter, making them some of the largest in Japan. A truly breathtaking moment is the 'Tsujimawashi,' where these grand floats navigate through incredibly narrow streets. Visitors may even have the chance to join in pulling the floats, allowing you to feel the raw energy and community spirit of the festival firsthand.
Schedule
The festival features various rituals and processions over three days.
- *May 2**
- 18:00~: Ningyo-mi (Traditional ritual of decorating houses with float dolls)
- *May 3**
- 21:00~: Yoiyama (Evening festivities and float departure from Kaji-machi)
- *May 4**
- 01:00~: Asayama (Morning procession begins from Fuchu-machi)
- 08:00~: Hon-yama (Main procession begins from Uo-machi)
- Around 12:30: Gathering of all floats at Daijushu Shrine (The main spectacle)
- *May 5**
- 07:00~: City-wide procession with all three massive floats (Urayama)
Venue & Access
The festival takes place in the central area of Nanao City and around Daijushu Shrine.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Daijushu Shrine (and central Nanao City area) |
| Access | Approximately a 10-minute walk from JR Nanao Station |
Tips for Visitors
During the festival, you can use a smartphone-based location service to track the real-time position of the floats, as well as find temporary parking and restroom locations. Please note that road closures and traffic restrictions will be in effect throughout the city during the processions, so plan your travel accordingly.
What to Bring & Etiquette
- *Clothing**: We recommend comfortable, practical clothing, especially if you plan to participate in pulling the floats or standing outdoors for long periods.
- *Reservations**: No advance reservation is required to watch, but the area becomes extremely crowded. Using public transportation is highly recommended.
- *Payment**: Please check the official website for specific details regarding local vendor information.