June 2005

Summer Festival of Fujishiro Shrine
July 9 Info: 073 - 482 - 1123
Fujishiro Shrine in Kainan City was one of the main oji (shrines) of the ancient Kumano Pilgrimage Route. A handmade portable shrine is carried by the children in the evening.
Place: A 10-minute bus ride from JR Kainan Station

Ouga Lotus Festival in Kamitonda Town
July 10 9:00 a.m. ～ 4:00 p.m. Info: 0739 - 47 - 0550
The Ouga Lotus was restored to life from 2000 year-old seeds. You can view those lotus flowers and enjoy the local vegetable market, lion dance, handbell performance and other events by the side of the lotus pond of Tanaka Shrine.
Place: A 20-minute bus ride to Nakaoka bus stop from JR Asso Station

Nachi Fire Festival
July 14 10:00 a.m. ～ 3:30 p.m. Info: 0735 - 55 - 0321

A dozen portable shrines, which are the embodiments of Gods, colorfully decorated with 32 ornamental fans go down the stone slope from Nachi Grand Shrine and meet twelve huge jacklights carried by men dressed in white cotton robes in front of Nachi Falls. This fire festival is known as “Nachi no Himatsuri” and is one of the three biggest fire festivals in Japan. The Nachi Falls is the highest falls in Japan.
Place: A 30-minute bus ride from JR Kii-Katsuura Station

Minato Fireworks Festival in Wakayama City
July 20 8:00 ～ 9:00 p.m. Info: 073 - 432 - 3116
About 3000 fireworks are displayed at Wakayama Port.
Place: A 5-minute walk from Nankai Wakayama-ko Line Wakayama-ko Station

Tenjin Festival in Wakayama City
July 24 ～25 Info: 073 - 444 - 4769　It is the yearly summer festival of Wakaura Tenmangu Shrine. Three portable shrines are carried by the children and people of Wakanoura on the evening of the 24th.
Place: Gongenmae Bus Stop from JR Wakayama Station.

Takigi Noh in Nichizengu Shrine
July 26 6:30 p.m.～ Info: 073 - 471 - 3730

Noh is the Japanese traditional theater that began in the 14th century. While the admission for this performance is free of charge, it is necessary to obtain a ticket beforehand. You can enjoy Noh’s elegant stage in the light of the bonfires within the precinct of the shrine.
Place: A few minutes walk from Nankai Kishigawa Line Nichizengumae Station. A 15-minute walk east from JR Wakayama Station.

Kokawa Festival
July 30 7:00 p.m. July 31 1:00 p.m. Info: 0736 - 73 - 3311

Kokawa Festival is known as one of the three biggest festivals in Wakayama. A lot of decorated floats, danjiri, are paraded from Kokawa Temple to Kokawa Station.
Place: Near JR Wakayama Line Kokawa Station.

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