Owari Tsushima Tennō Festival

What Is the Owari Tsushima Tennō Festival?

The Owari Tsushima Tennō Festival is a river festival with a history of some 600 years, held each summer at Tsushima Shrine in Tsushima, Aichi Prefecture. Counted among Japan's three great river festivals, it is known nationwide for the profound and resplendent sight of its eve festival (yoi-matsuri), in which five "makiwara boats" decorated with lanterns in a semicircular shape advance along the Tennō River. As the festival of Tsushima Shrine, it is a graceful and spirited water festival that colors the summer of the Owari region.

History and Origins

The Owari Tsushima Tennō Festival is said to have continued since the Muromachi period as the festival of Tsushima Shrine, boasting a history of about 600 years. Tsushima Shrine is the head shrine of the Tennō shrines (shrines of Tsushima Shrine / Gozu Tennō), said to number some 3,000 across the country, and is a venerable old shrine that draws faith for the dispelling of epidemics. Said to have been protected by Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi as well, the Tennō Festival developed into a grand river festival against the background of this deep devotion. The distinctive festival style staged on boats conveys to this day the faith and wealth of the people of Tsushima, who have lived alongside the Tennō River.

Highlights

The greatest attraction is the magical sight of the "makiwara boats" advancing along the Tennō River at the eve festival. Some 500 lanterns assembled in a semicircular shape on the boats are lit, and the sight of their light reflected on the river's surface is of breathtaking beauty. The number of lanterns is said to represent the number of months and days in a year, and the soft light of the candles evokes a profound atmosphere. At the morning festival the following day, danjiri boats based on Noh plays appear, with the spirited scene of young men holding cloth halberds leaping into the river. Visitors can savor a resplendent river festival spanning two days, with different characters by night and by day.

When It Takes Place

The festival is typically held on the fourth Saturday of July in summer and the following day at Tsushima Shrine and Tennōgawa Park in Tsushima, Aichi Prefecture. As a summer Tennō festival, its season is summer. The highlights differ between the eve festival (Saturday night) and the morning festival (Sunday morning). Visitors are advised to confirm the details of the dates in advance through official announcements from Tsushima City and Tsushima Shrine.

Access

Tennōgawa Park and Tsushima Shrine enjoy good access, within walking distance of Tsushima Station on the Meitetsu Tsushima Line. They can be accessed by Meitetsu from the direction of Nagoya. By car, nearby parking is available, but as tremendous crowds are expected on the day of the festival, public transport is strongly recommended.

Around the Area

Tsushima is a historic town that prospered as the gate town of Tsushima Shrine, where old streets and historic buildings remain. Located in the western part of the Owari region, it is also close to Nagoya City. Nearby tourist destinations include Nabana no Sato (in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture) and the Kiso Sansen Park. A trip extended from Nagoya allows one to enjoy Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine, and gourmet fare as well. Together with the Owari Tsushima Tennō Festival, it is an area where one can savor the history, faith, and nature of Owari and the Nōbi Plain.

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