April 2005

Sanada Festival

May 3 - 5 Parade 1:00 p.m. on the 5th Info: 0736 - 54 - 2019
This festival commemorates Masayuki Sanada and Yukimura Sanada, a famous samurai family who, after their defeat at Sekigahara in 1600, lived in Sanada for 14 years and built Sanada-an., which has been designated as a prefectural landmark. The festival will have several events and attractions over the 3 days including a mini-locomotive and jumping safari for kids, photo contest and the main event─ a warrior parade of about 500 people like a time picture scroll. Place: Fureai Hiroba and Sanada-an. It’s a 15- minute walk from Nankai Koya line Kudoyama Station.

Opening of Swimming Beach in Shirahama

May 3 9:00 a.m. ~ Info: 0739 - 43 - 5511
This is the earliest opening of a swimming beach in Honshu. First swimming will begin after a Shinto praying ceremony.

Rafting in Kitayama River

May 3 - September 30 Info: 0735 - 49 - 2324


Enjoy riding on the raft down through a rapid current of Kitayama River. The charge is 6,000 yen. Reservation necessary.

Boar Pig Racing Derby

May 3 8:00 a.m.~ 4:00 p.m. Info: 0739 - 55 -2293
Celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary this year, is this quirky event in Susami Town. In four races spread out through the day 6 “trained” 3-month old boar pigs will race in a specially made 100 meter track with built-in obstacles. There are “betting tickets” which will be presented to customers who spend 500 yen or more at the morning market or those who stay at Sight seeing Association affiliated lodging the night before. Holders of winning tickets will be presented a special made plum product and boar pig plush doll. Other events include pork udon eating contest, shell gathering, a lure casting competition and a parade. In the case of rain the event will be moved to the 4th. Place: Susami Town. A 3-minute walk from JR Susami Station.

Chujohime Festival

May 14 Parade 3:30 p.m. ~ Info: 0737 - 88 - 7110
Tokushoji Temple, Arida City, has a famous traditional legend about Chujohime, a young lady of noble birth in the Nara Era, who is said to have been led to the Buddha’s Pure Land by the 25 bodhisattvas. There will be a parade of the 25 Bodhisattvas costumed by the elementary children. Place: Itoga of Arida City, a 20- minute walk from JR Kii-Miyahara.

Posted on April 2005 in the following categories: Things to do in...