Guida
Hanno Matsuri is a traditional festival that has been held in Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture, since 1971. Originally, the autumn festivals in Hanno were held separately in various locations during September, but to avoid weather-related issues, the celebrations were unified into the current format in 1971. Today, the festival takes place over two days on the first Saturday and Sunday of November. The most striking feature of this festival is the sight of 11 traditional floats (dashi) parading through the streets. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of traditional performing arts, including music from 'sokonuke yatai' (floats with an open bottom), lion dances (shishi-mai), portable shrines (mikoshi), and folk song parades.
The history of this festival lies in the process of establishing local traditions into a unified civic celebration. In 1971, the separate autumn festivals held in different regions were consolidated to strengthen community bonds. The musical accompaniment (ohayashi) follows two distinct schools: the 'Kanda Ohashi' style, which stems from the Kanda Bayashi tradition, and the 'Odawara Ohayashi Wakasa' style. Specific songs like 'Niba', 'Yatai', and 'Yonchome' are played in synchronization with the festival's progress. Additionally, the unique local dance known as 'Gedo' is a cherished part of the regional heritage. Historically, there are records of a float carrying the deity Jinmu from Hanno participating in the 'Edo Tenka Matsuri' in Chiyoda, Tokyo, parading through Hibiya Park and the area in front of the Imperial Palace.
The festival is structured over two days, each offering a different atmosphere. The first day serves as the 'Eve Festival' (Zen'yasai), featuring the daytime parade of 'sokonuke yatai', where musicians play drums, flutes, and bells while walking. At night, the 'Hikiawase' occurs in the city center, where the floats meet; the intense and powerful performance of the 'Shagiri' music during this time is truly unforgettable. The second day is the 'Main Festival' (Hon-matsuri), featuring 11 large, magnificent floats. Led by 'Hanamanto' (flower lanterns) or 'Tekomai' (traditional dancers), these floats parade through the streets accompanied by the rhythmic Kanda Bayashi music. The energy is further heightened by lion dances, portable shrines, and folk song parades featuring Hanno Ondo and Nishikawa Ondo.
Hanno Matsuri is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of November. As November marks the deepening of autumn, it is the perfect time to experience the seasonal atmosphere. For a unique emotional experience, we recommend watching the 'Hikiawase' on the first night, which takes place in the darkness and offers a much different mood than the daytime. For the second day, it is best to visit during the daytime to see the full scale of the 11 large floats during the main parade. Note that a different type of summer festival is also held in July, focusing more on the 'sokonuke yatai' style.
During the festival, you can listen to traditional ohayashi music up close. Watching the specific dances (such as Okame, Hyottoko, Tenko, Shishi, or Gedo) that correspond to the Kanda Bayashi rhythms is a precious opportunity to understand the local culture. The folk song parades and 'hashigo-nori' (ladder climbing) performed by local residents allow visitors to feel the vibrant energy of a traditional Japanese community rather than just being a spectator.
Hanno City is located in a nature-rich environment, making it easy to enjoy strolls around the area before or after the festival. The area is also home to facilities related to Tove Jansson (creator of the Moomins), making it a great destination for families. During the festival, the city center becomes a hub of many exciting events.
As the festival involves long periods of outdoor activity, please prepare accordingly. Since it is held in November, it is essential to bring warm clothing to protect against dropping temperatures. Please note the following: