Where Tradition Comes to Life with Drums, Horses, and Spirit
In the green valleys and snowy peaks of Iwate, ancient spirits don’t just slumber, they dance, march, and gallop through the streets. Welcome to the festivals of Iwate Prefecture, where tradition isn’t tucked away in museums, it’s alive, beating to the rhythm of taiko drums and jingling with the bells of elaborately dressed horses.
From record-breaking drum parades to heartfelt rituals of gratitude, here’s your guide to Iwate’s most iconic and unforgettable matsuri (festivals).
1. Sansa Odori (さんさ踊り) – The World’s Largest Drum Festival
Held every August in Morioka City, this festival features over 10,000 dancers and drummers parading through the streets in waves of colour and rhythm. It’s joyful, unifying, and contagious in the best way.
Highlights:
– Thousands of synchronized taiko drummers, setting a hypnotic beat.
– Dancers in yukata (summer kimono) with flower hats move in unison, smiling and swirling.
– Guinness World Record holder for “Largest Taiko Drum Ensemble”!
– Nighttime parades are followed by public dance circles and yes, you can join in!
Origin story:
It’s said that the people began dancing after a local spirit, driven away by prayers, left the words:
“If you’re happy, then dance.”
So they did. And they still do.
2. Chagu Chagu Umakko (チャグチャグ馬コ) – The Parade of the Dazzling Horses
Every June in Takizawa and Morioka, around 100 horses dressed in ornate costumes jingle their way 15km to Morioka Hachimangū Shrine. It’s colourful, charming, and surprisingly emotional.
Highlights:
– Horses wear handmade harnesses, bells, tassels, and bright cloth.
– Their jingling “chagu chagu” sounds give the festival its name.
– Children in traditional clothes ride atop the horses.
– The event celebrates and thanks horses for their hard work in farming and transport.
Fun fact:
This festival is so beloved that its sound was designated one of “Japan’s 100 Soundscapes” by the Environment Agency!
3. Tōno Matsuri (遠野まつり) – Where Folklore Joins the Parade
Held in September in the folklore capital of Tōno, this festival brings together yōkai legends, traditional dances, and local pride.
Highlights:
– Shishi-odori (Deer Dance) with antlered masks and dramatic drumming.
– Kagura performances (sacred shrine dances) that reenact ancient myths.
– Floats and parades featuring characters from The Tales of Tōno, including… yes, maybe a Kappa or two.
It’s not just a festival, it’s a living folktale.
4. Ninohe Festival (二戸まつり) – Samurai Elegance and Roaring Floats
In early September, the usually quiet town of Ninohe transforms with towering festival floats, music, and samurai processions.
Highlights:
– Floats called yatai carry dancers and musicians.
– Children in armour lead miniature samurai processions.
– A mix of traditional and modern, think taiko followed by pop songs!
It’s the perfect blend of small-town charm and cultural richness.
Why These Festivals Matter
Iwate’s festivals aren’t just entertainment, they’re expressions of:
1. Gratitude (to nature, spirits, and ancestors).
2. Community (villages prepare for months together).
3. Pride in heritage, beauty, and local identity.
4. They carry the spirit of Iwate: humble but powerful, warm but intense, quiet until the drums begin.
When to Go
– June: Chagu Chagu Umakko
– August: Sansa Odori (don’t miss it!)
– September: Tōno and Ninohe Festivals
– All year: Smaller shrine festivals with kagura dances and lanterns
Final Thoughts: Step Into the Rhythm
In Iwate, the past isn’t frozen, it moves. It gallops. It drums. These festivals aren’t just shows, they’re invitations. To feel. To dance. To be part of something older, deeper, and joyfully alive.
So grab a yukata, follow the sound of bells and drums, and let Iwate’s festivals carry you away.
(Exploring Iwate) Festivals of Iwate
