Hachinohe Sansha Taisai

Held annually over five days from July 31 to August 4, Hachinohe Sansha Taisai is a grand joint festival involving Ogami Shrine, Chojasan Shinra Shrine, and Shinmei Shrine. Originating in 1721, it boasts over 300 years of history and tradition and is recognized as the largest festival in the Hachinohe region. In February 2004, it was designated as a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, and in December 2016, it was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The highlight of the festival is the procession featuring portable shrines from the three participating shrines, followed by spectacular parade floats (dashi). The impressive floats reach approximately 11 meters high and 8 meters wide, with 27 in total, each elaborately crafted according to four themes: rocky mountain floats (iwa-dashi) adorned with pine and maple trees, ocean-themed floats (nami-dashi), architectural floats (tatemono-dashi) depicting gates or castle structures, and floats featuring distinctive red railings (kouran-dashi). The floats become especially mesmerizing when illuminated at night, creating a magical atmosphere. Don’t miss the final evening, when all 27 floats are showcased together. Additionally, traditional performing arts such as Horyo Kagura, Tiger Dance, and Sasa-no-ha Dance further enrich the festive atmosphere.

To fully appreciate the festival, visitors are encouraged to stop by the dedicated exhibition corner located in the main hall of "Youtree," directly connected to Hachinohe Station. Here you can explore exhibits detailing the festival’s origins and the float-making process, enhancing your festival experience.