Jantokoi Uozu Festival

Overview

The Jantokoi Uozu Festival is the largest summer event in Uozu City, Toyama Prefecture, held annually from the first Friday to Sunday of August. The festival centers on the Tate-mon Matsuri, which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and simultaneously features a marine fireworks display, the traditional folk dance Serikomi Choroku Odori street procession, a jazz live performance, and a candle-lit road. The festival name Jantokoi originates from the chant used in the Serikomi Choroku Odori.

This festival developed as the annual festival of Suwa Shrine, which enshrines the guardian deity of the sea. It has become a quintessential summer tradition in Uozu, attracting many tourists from both within and outside the prefecture. During the festival period, various locations throughout Uozu City serve as venues, creating a unified atmosphere of excitement that brings together the sea, streets, and shrine.

History and Origin

The origins of the Jantokoi Uozu Festival trace back to the Tate-mon Matsuri, the festival of Suwa Shrine. According to local tradition, the history of the Tate-mon Matsuri dates back approximately 300 years. It is said to have begun when fishermen dedicated the festival to Suwa Shrine to pray for abundant catches and safety at sea. What started as a small event in a fishing village gradually developed into a city-wide celebration.

The Tate-mon floats are extremely rare in Japan as they are floats without wheels. Seven boat-shaped lantern floats, each approximately 15 to 16 meters tall and weighing about 5 tons, decorate the summer night sky. About 80 shrine parishioners pull them using only human power. The shape of the floats is modeled after fishing boats, reflecting the culture of a fishing town.

In 1997, the Uozu Tate-mon Event was designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Furthermore, on December 1, 2016, it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as one of the 33 Yama, Hoko, and Yatai Float Festivals across Japan. This registration brought international recognition to the Tate-mon Matsuri.

The Serikomi Choroku Odori is a traditional folk song and dance described by the city's tourism association as having some 650 years of history. It expresses prayer, emotion, and joy, with dancers moving like fluttering butterflies to a lively rhythm. The term Serikomi is derived from the local fishing dialect meaning to compete vigorously, and is said to represent the bustling activity of fishing.

Highlights

Tate-mon Matsuri Night Procession The main highlight of the Tate-mon Matsuri is the night procession held in the summer. Seven Tate-mon floats, each with over 90 paper lanterns hung from a tall pillar approximately 16 meters high, proceed toward Suwa Shrine. The lantern light emerges against the dark night sky, creating a fantastical scene. The shouts of the parishioners and the fast-paced festival music resonate, stirring the hearts of onlookers.

Rotating Dedication (Paid Seating) The Rotating Dedication, held within the grounds of Suwa Shrine, is the most exciting moment of the festival. The powerful technique of parishioners rotating the approximately 5-ton Tate-mon float in one motion is truly breathtaking. Since this takes place in an area normally off-limits to the public, only those who purchase paid seats can experience this special view up close. During the rotation, the light from the lanterns draws circles in the air, drawing cheers from the audience.

Marine Fireworks Display The marine fireworks display held at Uozu Port is one of the highlights of summer in Uozu. The fireworks reflected on the sea surface create a spectacular scene that colors both the night sky and the ocean. It is held on the Saturday within the three-day festival period that begins on the first Friday of August, coinciding with the Tate-mon Matsuri. The entire port is enveloped in the sound and light of fireworks, enhancing the atmosphere of a summer night.

Serikomi Choroku Odori Street Procession On the final day of the festival, a Sunday, the Serikomi Choroku Odori street procession takes place on the main street in front of Uozu Station. Dancers in yukata perform graceful movements resembling fluttering butterflies to the lively rhythm. This is a valuable opportunity to experience a traditional art form described by the city's tourism association as having some 650 years of history up close in the city streets. The event also has participatory elements, allowing spectators to join the dance.

Uozu Candle Road The route leading to the Tate-mon Matsuri venue is illuminated by thousands of candles. In 2023, it was recognized as a Japan Nightscape Heritage site. The candlelight placed along stone pavements and shrine approach paths adds warmth to the festival night. This Candle Road offers a quiet beauty that contrasts with the Tate-mon Matsuri.

UO!JAZZ UO!JAZZ is a seaside jazz live event held next to the Roadside Station Shinkiro. Against the backdrop of the sunset, artists active both domestically and internationally perform. Local gourmet food and food trucks are available at the venue, allowing visitors to enjoy both food and music simultaneously. The jazz sounds spread on the sea breeze, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Event Information and Access

• Event Period: Annually from the first Friday to Sunday of August. Please check the official website for the latest schedule and event status.
• Main Venue: Suwa Shrine (1-16 Suwa-cho, Uozu City, Toyama Prefecture) and various locations throughout Uozu City.
• Access by Car: Approximately 15 minutes from the Hokuriku Expressway Uozu IC. Approximately 10 minutes by car from Ainokaze Toyama Railway Uozu Station. Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Toyama Chihō Railway Dentetsu-Uozu Station.
• Parking: Temporary parking lots are available during the festival period, but use of public transportation is recommended due to expected congestion.
• Inquiries: Uozu Festival Executive Committee (at Uozu Chamber of Commerce and Industry).
• Paid Seating: Paid seating is available in the Rotating Dedication area of the Tate-mon Matsuri. The price is 3,000 yen per person (tax included), and purchasers receive an exclusive wooden tag. Reservations can be made through the official Uozu City website.

Surrounding Area Information

Uozu City offers various tourist attractions beyond the festival. Uozu Coast, known for the phenomenon of shinkiro (a type of mirage), attracts many visitors especially from spring to early summer. Facilities that display the Uozu Tate-mon Event, designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, are also available for those wishing to learn more about the festival background.

Roadside Station Shinkiro is a tourism hub where visitors can purchase marine products and local specialties from Uozu. It also features a restaurant where fresh seafood dishes can be enjoyed, making it an ideal resting spot between festival activities. Stores selling Uozu lacquerware, a traditional craft of the city, are also scattered throughout the area.

The surrounding region of Uozu City includes natural landscapes such as the Kurobe Gorge and the Tateyama Mountain Range. Visitors can fully enjoy the charms of Toyama Prefecture by stopping by these areas before or after the festival. Accessibility from the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region is also convenient, with shinkansen and expressway connections enabling day trips.

Related Information

1. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Uozu Tate-mon Event, including the Tate-mon Matsuri, was registered as part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Yama, Hoko, and Yatai Float Festivals on December 1, 2016. This registration covered 33 festival events across Japan under a single designation.
2. Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property: The Uozu Tate-mon Event was designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1997.
3. Japan Nightscape Heritage: The Uozu Candle Road was recognized as a Japan Nightscape Heritage site in 2023.
4. Kyoden Tanabata Festival: This Tanabata event is held annually on August 7 in the Kyoden district. The floating of lanterns onto the sea creates a beautiful, nostalgic Japanese scenery.
5. Serikomi Choroku Odori: A traditional folk song and dance of Uozu City described by the city's tourism association as having some 650 years of history. It expresses prayer, emotion, and joy, characterized by dancers moving like fluttering butterflies.
6. Suwa Shrine: Located in Suwa-cho, Uozu City, this shrine is dedicated to the guardian deity of fishermen. It serves as the central venue for the Tate-mon Matsuri, where prayers for abundant catches and maritime safety are offered.

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