NAGAHAMA HIKIYAMA MUSEUM

The “Nagahama Hikiyama Festival” is a festival that began in Nagahama during the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), and is now a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Every year in April from the 9th~17th, crowds gather to see the hikiyama be paraded around town, in addition to a variety of events being held. Hikiyama is a type float pulled manually with ropes that is utilized in festivals, and Nagahama’s hikiyama are full of carvings and metal decorations that were common in the Edo period. This has led to the festival being called “The Moving Art Gallery.” On the float stages, “Children’s Kabuki” is performed, and along with the extravagant ornamentation used, the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival is a fine example of Japan’s distinguished and stunning festivals. Children’s Kabuki will take place the evening of the 13th, morning of the 14th, and throughout the 15th and 16th.