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
