Various festivals are held throughout the year in Chiba.
Japanese people get excited when they hear the festival music. You are strongly recommended to participate in various festivals and experience this feeling unique to the Japanese. In addition to the festivals described below, many more festivals are held at various places within the prefecture throughout the year.
September
Otaiya Festival (Narita City) The 1st Saturday and Sunday in September/Sogo Reido (mausoleum)The anniversary of Sakura Sogo’s death falls on September 3. Festival cars are drawn through, and Japanese art of archery and folklore show are performed.
Ohara Naked Festival (Isumi City/former Ohara-cho) September, 23 (Friday) - 24 (Saturday), 2011More than ten portable shrines are carried into the sea all at once, and they shove and push above the angry waves, which is called “Shio-fumi.” It is a heroic and dynamic festival, praying for bumper crops and good catch of fish.
October
Sawara Big Festival (Katori City) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the 2nd Saturday of September as the central dayThis is a festival of Suwa Shrine in Niijuku highlighted by Japan’s best festival car sculptured gorgeously and a big doll, as well as “Sawara-bayashi,” one of the best three musical accompaniments in Japan.
Sakura Autumn Festival (Sakura City) Middle of OctoberThe festival is held for Makata Shrine. Festival cars, Omikidokoro, and portable shrine are drawn through.
Nanso Satomi Festival (Tateyama City) October, 1 (Saturday), 2011This festival is held in remembrance of “Nanso Satomi Hakkenden (Samurai novel)” written by Takizawa Bakin and Satomi Clan, a warring lord. A samurai procession and an armored corps, as well as festival cars and portable shrines from various places in the city, march through the city.
November
Shibayama Clay Figure Festival (Shibayama-cho) November, 13 (Sunday), 2011/Shibayama ParkMany townsmen wear ancient people’s costume. Shinto music is played and shrine maidens dance in dedication. The procession of “Haniwa Mikoshi (portable shrine with clay figure)” shouldered by lively children and the ceremony of welcome mark the climax of the festival.
