Shiogama Minato Festival

Mikoshi Kaijo Togyo. Gozabune boats cruise through Matsushima Bay, one of Japan’s three most scenic views

The Shiogama Minato Festival is counted as one of Japan’s top three boat festivals.  


The greatest highlight is absolutely the Mikoshi Kaijo Togyo. Two Mikoshi portable shrines from Shiwahiko-jinja Shrine and Shiogama-jinja Shrine are put on Gozabune boats called Ryuho-maru and Hoo-maru, and the boats go on a cruise accompanied by about 100 other boats and cruise around Matsushima Bay, one of Japan’s three most scenic views. The scenery of the majestic, magnificent boats against the backdrop of the beautiful islands and the sea is just like a picture scroll from the Heian period. 


The Mikoshi Kaijo Togyo has long played a guidance role from the sea, and is a festival in which worshippers give thanks to and worship the shrine by annually accompanying the local deity Shiotsuchi Ojinokami to the sea. 


About 8,000 fireworks are launched on the night before the festival, and the reflection of the multi-coloured fireworks shines on the bay’s surface. 

General Information

Address
宮城県塩竈市
Directions
Shiogama Port is
● About a 10-minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station and Higashi-Shiogama Station on the JR Senseki Line
● About 10 minutes from the Rifu-Shiogama Interchange on the Sanriku Expressway
Car Park
None
Official Website
Visit this website
Date
Third Sunday and Monday of July each year
Venue
Around Shiogama-Shrine, Shiogama Port, and other locations in Shiogama City, Iwate Prefecture

Contact

Contact
Shiogama City Tourism Exchange Department, Shiogama City Tourism Products Association
Telephone Number
022-364-1165

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