Visit Wakayama

This festival began in 1999, on the occasion of the Nanki Kumano Experience Expo. It follows the legend that the three-legged yatagarasu, a guiding deity in Japanese mythology, led Emperor Jimmu (the first emperor of Japan) when he got lost in the mountains of Kumano. A mikoshi, an iron divine vehicle decorated in the likeness of the yatagarasu, and women in period costumes head from Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine to Oyunohara, where the shrine was previously located before renovations. Once there, powerful and energetic performances of the Okukumano Taiko drums and the Kumano Yata Dance are held. Visitors can also join in the dancing, so please consider taking part.

Venue: Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City (Oyunohara).

Event Period: Summer (last Saturday in August) / Evening and Night

Directions:

Train/Bus: 2 hours on the Ryujin Line Bus (to Hosshinmon-oji) from JR Kii-Tanabe Station. Get off at Hongu Taisha-mae stop.

Car: Take the Hanwa Expressway at Nanki-Tanabe IC for 57 km (1 hour 20 minutes). There is parking at the Kumano River bank located in front of Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine.

Nachi-no-Ogi Matsuri is the most important festival of Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, and is held annually on July 14th. The highlight is the ceremony to worship the gods, which takes place in front of Nachi Waterfall. To purify the route, men in white outfits carry large flaming torches up and down the stone stairs, waving them and crying "HARIYA HARIYA."

Venue: Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, Mt. Nachi, Nachikatsuura Town

Event Period: Summer (July 14) / Throughout the day

Directions:

Train/Bus: From JR Kii-Katsuura Station or JR Nachi Station, take the Kumano Kotsu Bus and get off at Nachisan bus stop. Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine and Nachisan Seiganto-ji Temple are 10 minutes on foot.

This festival is the most significant festival held at Tokei-jinja Shrine, and has been held on July 24 and 25 every year for over 400 years. During the festival, eight floats from seven towns are decorated with umbrellas and ornaments shaped like hats on spears and paraded around the city. On the evening of July 24th, many floats gather on Aizu-Hashi bridge, and the lights from the floats reflected on the water create a beautiful scenery.

Venue: Tokei-jinja Shrine, Katamachi, Tanabe City

Event Period: Summer / Night

Directions:

15 minutes walk from JR Kii-Tanabe Station.

This festival is held every July on the riverbanks of Manago, Tanabe City, the setting of the 11th century story Anchin and Kiyohime. In the story, the character of Kiyohime, who transforms into a giant serpent-like dragon, was born on the riverbank. At the finale of the festival, a 20 m fire-breathing dragon float is paraded around the venue.

Venue: Manago, Nakahechi-cho, Tanabe City

Event Period: Summer / Night

Directions:

Bus: Take the Ryujin Bus or Meiko Bus from JR Kii-Tanabe Station. It is 1 minute on foot from Kiyohime bus stop.

The Mifune Gyoji (a parade of beautifully decorated boats) is held on the Koza-gawa River between Kushimoto Town and Kozagawa Town. It has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property together with the Koza Shishi Lion Dance, a traditional performing art of Japan. The festival as a whole is related to whaling culture. During the Yogomori Ritual on the night before the festival, the boats sail leisurely around the sacred Kouchi-jima Island, creating a magical atmosphere. 

Venue: Koza-gawa River, Utsugi, Kozagawa Town

Event Period: Summer (fourth Sunday in July) / Throughout the day

Directions:

35 minutes on foot from JR Koza Station.