Shinshu's Strange Festival 'Sakaki Festival'

The rough and fantastical fire festival 'Sakaki Festival' is known as a strange festival of Shinshu. Young people run down the mountain holding torches and throw them into the Shikamigawa River all at once. Afterwards, the sakaki mikoshi parades through the town, fiercely clashing as they head to the shrine. Fire and sakaki purify all impurities and pray for a bountiful harvest. There is a legend that the Takeda forces, who invaded Saku, misinterpreted the beehive fire signal for a night raid and retreated.

Map & Location

Details about Shinshu's Strange Festival 'Sakaki Festival'

Date & Time

8/15(Fri)

Note

Held on the same day each year. Opening ceremony, children's mikoshi, horizontal flute, boat pulling, torches, Mochizuki drums, fireworks, folk dance procession, sakaki mikoshi, lion dance, and more. The location and time of events vary.

Venue

Mochizuki-juku Area, Nakayama Road, Saku City

Address

Mochizuki, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture

Fee

Free admission. Some stalls are chargeable.

parking

Several parking lots available within Mochizuki town.

Access

Approximately 30 minutes from the 'Saku' IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway.

Access (Public)

Approximately 30 minutes by car from JR 'Sakudaira' Station.

Contact

0267-53-3111 （Saku City Citizens' Festival 'Sakaki Festival' Executive Committee (within the Economic Construction and Environment Division of Saku City Mochizuki Branch)）

URL

https://www.city.saku.nagano.jp/kanko/townguide/event/sakakimatsuri.html