Ise Lobster Festival

Overview

The Iseebi Matsuri, or Ise Lobster Festival, is a vibrant annual event held primarily at Hamajima Seaside Park in Hamajima Town, Shima City, Mie Prefecture. This festival expresses gratitude for the bounty of the sea, particularly the Ise lobster, and prays for abundant catches and maritime safety. It originated in June 1961 as the Ise Lobster Thanksgiving Festival and has since grown into a representative early-summer tradition of the Ise-Shima region, cherished by locals and visitors alike for over sixty years. The festival is typically held on the first Saturday of June, with the following Sunday as a rain date.

A distinctive feature of this festival is that it takes place in June, which falls within the closed season for Ise lobster fishing, which officially opens on October 1 each year. The decision to hold the festival during the closed season reflects the deep-seated desire of local fishermen to protect, cultivate, and nurture the Ise lobster population. On the day of the festival, the lively melodies of the Iseebi Bayashi music fill the coastal town, creating a scene where people of all ages come together to dance in unity. Hamajima Town declared itself the Town of Ise Lobster in 1976, and this festival stands as a symbol of the town's pride and identity.

History and Origin

The origins of the Iseebi Matsuri date back to June 6, 1961, when the first Ise Lobster Thanksgiving Festival was organized by the Hamajima Town Tourism Association. This initial event was a simple gathering to give thanks for the blessings of the Ise lobster and to pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming season. Through the enthusiasm and efforts of the townspeople, the festival has evolved with various creative additions with each passing year, steadily developing into a larger and more elaborate celebration. In the seventh edition in 1967, the festival merged with the Hamajima Fisheries Cooperative Association's fish and seaweed memorial service, introducing a ritual in which a giant Ise lobster carried by ama (female divers) was released into the sea.

In the 14th edition in 1974, the Shichiuradaiko, a traditional drum performance, was presented for the first time by a preservation society, incorporating local traditional performing arts into the festival. The 20th anniversary in 1980 featured a special evening event with the presentation of the song Hamajima Minatomachi by the singer Masako Mori, and the organization was restructured to make it a festival for the townspeople of Hamajima. In the 29th edition in 1989, as part of the town's 70th-anniversary celebrations, the first campaign girl, known as Hamajima Komachi, was introduced, adding further glamour to the festivities.

In 1992, the Iseebi Bayashi musical accompaniment and the Jakkoppe Odori dance were created, establishing the core elements that define the festival today. The 39th edition in 1999 was held as part of the town's 80th-anniversary celebrations, and the official chronology records an appearance on the nationally televised NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen on New Year's Eve of that year. Starting with the 40th edition in 2000, the festival date was fixed to the first Saturday of June, and the festival also participated for the first time in the Ise Jingu Shrine's Kannamesai Festival. The 45th edition in 2005 was the first to be held under the newly formed Shima City, marking the festival's expansion beyond its original town boundaries.

Highlights

The Iseebi Mikoshi (Portable Shrine) A gigantic portable shrine shaped like an Ise lobster parades through the town with great vigor. This mikoshi embodies the community's gratitude for the blessings of the sea and its prayers for a bountiful catch, serving as the festival's iconic centerpiece. The majestic sight of the lobster-shaped mikoshi moving through the seaside town at dusk leaves a deep impression on all who witness it.

The Jakkoppe Odori Dance The Jakkoppe Odori, danced to the lively rhythms of the Iseebi Bayashi, is the festival's representative dance. The term jakkoppe is said to be a local dialect word for juvenile shrimp, reflecting the deep connection between the dance and the region's fishing culture. Participants form a line and dance through the streets, creating a powerful sense of unity and vibrant energy that defines the festival's atmosphere.

Iseebi Chojoyu (Longevity Soup) The festival's signature dish, Iseebi Chojoyu, is a luxurious miso soup containing a whole half of an Ise lobster. This dish is imbued with wishes for longevity and good health, and many visitors eagerly look forward to tasting it. The sight of people enjoying the steaming hot soup, with smiles on their faces, adds a warm and comforting element to the festival.

Children's Jakkoppe Odori The children's Jakkoppe Odori, performed by local nursery school and elementary school children, offers a glimpse of the festival's future as it is carried forward by the younger generation. This event plays a vital role in helping children become familiar with and appreciate their local traditional culture. The waving and dancing of the little ones, full of energy, warms the hearts of the spectators.

Nagori Bayashi and Fireworks The festival concludes with the Nagori Bayashi, a farewell musical piece, and a fireworks display, creating a moving and memorable finale. The fireworks serve to gently calm the excitement of the day's festivities while building anticipation for the following year's event. The fireworks blooming in the night sky and their reflections on the sea create a magical atmosphere over the Hamajima summer night.

Shima Specialty Products Market A market selling local specialties, including Ise lobster and other Shima products, is set up within the festival grounds. This market serves as a platform to showcase the appeal of the region's fishing and agricultural industries to a wide audience. The bustling scene of visitors searching for fresh seafood and processed goods enhances the lively, festive atmosphere.

Event Information and Access

1. Event Period: The festival is held annually on the first Saturday of June. Please check the official Iseebi Matsuri website for the most up-to-date schedule and confirmation of the event.
2. Event Hours: The festival typically runs from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, although specific event times may vary.
3. Location: Hamajima Seaside Park (Hamajima Kaihin Koen), Hamajima, Hamajima-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture.
4. Public Transportation Access: From Kintetsu Ugata Station, take a Mie Kotsu route bus bound for Shukuura. Get off at the Hamajima bus stop, which is a short walk from the venue.
5. Access by Car: The venue is approximately a 45-minute drive from the Ise Nishi Interchange or Tamaki Interchange on the Ise Expressway.
6. Parking: Multiple temporary parking lots are available, including the former Hamajima Elementary School, Umihoozuki, B&G Marine Center, Mie Prefecture Fisheries Research Institute, fish market, former Hamajima Branch Office, former Hamajima Clinic, and a special bypass parking lot. Visitors are encouraged to carpool due to expected traffic congestion. Road closures are in effect around the venue from 11:00 AM to approximately 10:00 PM.

Surrounding Area Information

Hamajima Town in Shima City is a coastal community situated within the Ise-Shima National Park. It faces the Kuroshio Current of the Kumano Sea and the calm waters of Ago Bay, an area that has flourished on the blessings of the sea since ancient times. From Hamajima Seaside Park, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the coastline, making it a pleasant place for a stroll in the sea breeze between festival events. The Mie Prefecture Fisheries Research Institute, located in the same town, is a notable center for Ise lobster research, highlighting the region's connection to this prized marine resource.

Approximately 30 minutes by car from Hamajima Town lies the Ise Jingu Shrine, encompassing the Inner Shrine (Naiku) and the Outer Shrine (Geku). Ise Jingu is considered the spiritual home of the Japanese people, and the tradition of the Ise Pilgrimage continues to this day. After offering gratitude for the Ise lobster at the festival, a visit to Ise Jingu allows for a deeper appreciation of the blessings of the sea and the gods in Ise-Shima. The area also boasts tourist attractions such as Shima Spain Village and the Pearl Road, making it easy to plan a trip centered around the festival.

Shima City was formed in 2005 through the merger of five towns, including former Hamajima Town. The region is also renowned as a hub for pearl cultivation, and the sight of pearl rafts floating on the ria coast of Ago Bay is an iconic landscape of Ise-Shima. After experiencing the Ise lobster culture at the festival, visitors can learn about the history of pearls cultivated in the seas of Shima. The fishing port in Hamajima Town also operates morning markets and direct-sale shops for seafood, allowing visitors to enjoy the local flavors.

Related Information

1. Organizer / Rain policy: The festival is organized by the Iseebi Matsuri Executive Committee (Office: 2723 Hamajima, Hamajima-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture, inside the Sangyo Shinko Kaikan; Phone: 0599-53-3330).
2. Official Website: The latest information can be confirmed on the official Iseebi Matsuri website (https://iseebimatsuri.jp/).
3. Supporting Organizations: The festival is supported by Shima City, Shima City Board of Education, Mie Prefecture, Mie Prefecture Tourism Federation, Minato Oasis Shima, Kintetsu Leisure Create, Mie FM Broadcasting, Mie Television, Shima Spain Village, Matsusaka Cable Television, Mie Outer Bay Fisheries Cooperative Association, Shima City Tourism Association, Shima City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Ise-Shima Tourism and Convention Organization, among others.
4. Jakkoppe Odori Contest: A contest for the Jakkoppe Odori is held during the festival, with participants recruited in advance. Evaluations are based on creativity, teamwork, and the inclusion of the basic dance steps.
5. Volunteer Recruitment: Volunteer staff are recruited annually to support the festival's operations, providing a framework for community involvement in the event. Participants receive a staff T-shirt and can contribute behind the scenes.
6. Historical Records of the Festival: The official website provides a detailed history of the festival from its first edition, allowing visitors to trace its evolution. Presented in a chronological table format, it clearly shows the unique features and commemorative projects of each year's event.

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