Here we introduce the traditional festivals and other main events that are held throughout the year in Tsuyama City.
Spring
Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival
Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park) / April 1 to 15
Tea ceremonies, etc. are held below the approximately 1,000 cherry blossom trees in the park which was selected for inclusion in “Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites”. The park is open until 10:00 pm during the festival.
Sakura Shrine Spring Festival
Sakura Shrine / 2nd Sunday in April
Dedications to martial arts, etc. are performed in the approximately 33,000 m2 grounds of this shrine which was built in the 17th century.
Nakayama Shrine Rice Planting Festival
Nakayama Shrine / April 29
Praying for a good harvest, the dancers dressed as farmers carrying hoes perform an entertaining enactment of the planting of rice in sync with the Japanese drums and flutes.
Seigenji Temple Peony Festival
Seigenji Temple / late April to early May
Also known as the “Peony Temple”, a total of 300 peonies including about 100 types can be seen blooming together.
Aba Hometown Festival
Aba / 4th Sunday in May
There are many events such as special and demonstration sales of yama-udo (mountain asparagus) and bracken, etc.
Summer
Tsuyama Noryo (Cool Summer) Gongo Festival in Yoshii-gawa River
Banks of the Yoshii-gawa River / 1st Saturday/Sunday in August
The Summer Festival is held every year on the first Saturday and Sunday in August. “Gongo” is the Tsuyama region dialect for “Kappa” (a mythical water-dwelling creature), and this is a seasonal tradition with the theme of “reviving the river spirit”. Several thousand people attend the Gongo dance and impressive fireworks display.
Summer Festival in Shiode
Shiode Pond / August 12
The finale to the Summer Festival, which includes various stage events, is the fireworks display which colorfully lights up Shiode Pond. It is well worth watching this fireworks display which is a rare event in the north of the prefecture and covers the water surface with a magical atmosphere.
Fall
Tsuyama/Josai All-Museum Fair
Josai District / early October
The fair is held with “exchange and information through handiwork” as the theme so that you can rediscover the traditional handiwork and townscape.
Takata Shrine Fall Festival
Takata Shrine / 2nd Sunday in October
The parishioners of the Takata District give a lion dance performance which is rare anywhere in Japan. It is registered as an important intangible folk culture asset in Okayama Prefecture.
Tsuyama Festival
Osumi Shrine, Takano Shrine, Tokumori Shrine / 3rd/4th Sunday in October
A fall festival which is one of Japan’s “Three Great Mikoshi (portable shrines)” and where the large mikoshi of Tokumori Shrine is paraded with the floats which are designated as cultural assets by the prefecture.
Niino Festival
Shohoku / November 3
This is one of the “Sakushu Three Major Festivals” and an important intangible folk culture asset of Okayama Prefecture. This is a festival with Hachiman Shrine as the parent deity and the parishioners of the surrounding shrines getting together to carry the mikoshi and pray for a good fall harvest.
Aba Hachiman Shrine Flower Festival
Aba / November 3
The Aba Hachiman Shrine Fall Festival is called the “Flower Festival” and is an important intangible folk culture asset of Okayama Prefecture which is famous as a dynamic festival. A flower festival is also held at the Monomi Shrine in Kamo on the 4th Sunday in October.
Tsuyama Joto Old Town
Joto District / 1st Sunday in November
Along the Old Izumo Highway are old-fashioned playhouses and stalls, and there are many people dressed up as samurai and merchants.
Tsuyama Castle Festival
Late November
There are many attractions such as the autumn leaves and local cuisine, the Mimasaka-no-kuni tea ceremony and flower arranging meeting, and the modern art.
Winter
Wild Yam Festival
Roadside Station “Kume-no-Sato”, Tsuyama Wild Yam Producers’ Association Sorting and Shipping Center/ early December
An event for selling the wild yams which are a specialty of Tsuyama. This is held at the Roadside Station “Kume-no-Sato”.
Fukurikiko Shrine Festival
Fukurikiko Shrine / January 1 to 3 of lunar calendar
A major festival at a shrine which has maintained a strong following of those that believe it is effective in protecting people from pit vipers and ensuring the safe birth of children. It attracts a great number of worshipers.
Manpukuji Temple Ju-san (13) Mairi
Manpukuji Temple / last Friday/Saturday/Sunday in February
It is said that visiting the shrine on this day imparts power, good fortune and wisdom to the 13-year old children, and is attended by many worshippers from the area.
Tsuyama Castle Town Hina Dolls Tour
Early March
The “Tsuyama Castle Town Hina Dolls Tour” is where Hina dolls are displayed in all the stores in the center of Tsuyama. Valuable dolls that have been handed down from the old families in the castle town are displayed.
Plum Festival
Ume-no-Sato Park / early March
In addition to being able to enjoy the 2,000 red and white plum trees, there are various events and plum products are sold.
The events are subject to changes or cancellation. Also, the best times to visit the sights may change depending on the weather.