Shinkawa-ichi Festival

Overview

The Shinkawaichi Festival (新川市まつり) is an annual spring festival held in the central district of Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Held annually on May 5th (Children's Day) during the Golden Week holidays, the festival takes place from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, primarily along Tokiwa Street (National Route 190 special zone). Visitors are advised to check the official website for the latest updates on the program, schedule, and any possible changes. This vibrant event attracts an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 visitors each year, making it one of the most anticipated celebrations in the region.

This festival originated as a traditional market (ichi) that formed around the establishment of Nakatsuse Shrine. According to local tradition, shortly after the shrine was built in the late 18th century around 1797 or 1798, an impromptu market for farming tools and equipment emerged in the surrounding area. Over the centuries, it evolved from a simple exchange market into a major community event that blends commerce, culture, and entertainment. Today, while retaining its historical roots as a market festival, it incorporates modern attractions such as a marche and Yosakoi dance performances, serving as a vital force for regional revitalization. The festival stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the community and its ability to adapt to changing times while preserving its core identity.

History and Origin

According to oral tradition, the origins of the Shinkawaichi Festival date back to the late Edo Period, specifically the Kansei era (1789-1801). When Nakatsuse Shrine was established in either 1797 (Kansei 9) or 1798 (Kansei 10), a market for farming tools spontaneously emerged in the surrounding area. This market provided a valuable opportunity for local communities to exchange agricultural products with marine goods from the nearby Seto Inland Sea coast. At that time, the approach to the shrine, bustling with worshippers, naturally became a focal point for commercial activity and social gathering.

As Ube's economy grew, this market expanded beyond simple barter to become a dynamic hub for commerce and interaction. Local merchants began to actively participate, selling daily necessities and specialty goods. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the market gradually took on the characteristics of an annual festival, becoming an essential pillar of the local economy. Nakatsuse Shrine served as the spiritual and physical center of this activity, supporting the community both in faith and in commerce. This close bond between a shrine and marketplace is a common feature of many Japanese festivals, but in the case of Shinkawaichi, the commercial aspect has always been particularly pronounced.

The festival acquired a distinctive new tradition in the Taisho era. In 1919 (Taisho 8), the Horse Exchange Grand Lottery was introduced. This event was a direct legacy of the horse trading that had once been a central feature of the market during a time when livestock was a primary commodity. While horses are no longer traded, the lottery remains one of the most eagerly anticipated events, awarding cash prizes and local specialties to lucky winners. It serves as a living historical artifact, reminding participants and spectators alike of the festival’s deep economic roots.

The festival continued without interruption through the post-war period of reconstruction and economic growth. New programs were added to broaden its appeal and involve more residents. In recent years, events like the Ube Kitsune no Yomeiri Gyoretsu (Ube Fox Wedding Procession) have been introduced, featuring a public wedding ceremony for a couple selected through an open call. This combination of historical tradition and contemporary creativity has allowed the festival to remain relevant and cherished. The fact that the festival has been passed down for over two centuries without major interruption speaks volumes about the dedication and collaborative spirit of the local community.

Highlights

Ube Kitsune no Yomeiri Gyoretsu (Ube Fox Wedding Procession) This procession is a rare public wedding ceremony for a couple selected from among the citizens through an open application process. The bride, groom, and their families, friends, and attendants parade through the central streets of Ube, making their way from Tokiwa Street to Nakatsuse Shrine where the wedding ceremony is conducted. Dressed in traditional wedding attire, the procession creates a picturesque scene reminiscent of a historical scroll painting, evoking feelings of goodwill and nostalgia among the onlookers.

Uma-Kae Grand Lottery Dating back to 1919, this lottery is a modern adaptation of the historical horse market that was once the focus of the festival. Shoppers who purchase items at participating stores receive stickers to fill out a special postcard, which is then entered into a draw for cash prizes of up to 10,000 yen and local specialty goods. The excited murmur and hopeful expressions of participants waiting for the winning numbers to be announced add a lively and optimistic energy to the entire festival atmosphere.

Hoshi-machi Marche (Star Town Market) Featuring approximately 100 booths run by local restaurants and retailers, this marche is the commercial heart of the festival. Vendors sell a wide variety of items including fresh local produce, seafood, handmade crafts, and prepared foods, ensuring there is something to appeal to every taste. It serves as an excellent platform for local businesses to connect directly with customers, and visitors can enjoy a taste of Ube's diverse local flavors. The sight of shoppers chatting with vendors and the sound of cheerful bargaining fill the air, embodying the lively spirit of the market.

Yosakoi Festa Numerous Yosakoi dance teams from within Ube City and beyond converge on Tokiwa Street to perform their unique, energetic routines. Each team brings its own distinctive choreography and colorful costumes, creating a vibrant visual spectacle accompanied by the rhythmic sound of wooden clappers (naruko) and enthusiastic shouts. The performers passion is contagious, and many in the audience join in with clapping, creating a powerful sense of unity and celebration that energizes the entire city center.

Hataraku Kuruma (Working Vehicles) This exhibition of police cars, fire trucks, and other public service vehicles is a major family-friendly attraction. Children and adults alike are given the rare opportunity to sit inside these vehicles, take photographs, and learn about their functions. It provides an exciting, hands-on educational experience, giving visitors a closer appreciation for the vehicles that serve and protect the community. The area is filled with the smiles of young children living out their dream of riding in a fire truck.

Hoshi-machi Campus (Star Town Campus) Managed and operated entirely by local high school students, this area features workshops, performances, and other youth-led events. It empowers the younger generation to take an active role in their community and injects fresh, innovative ideas into the festival. This zone serves as a symbol of the festival's future-oriented spirit, blending traditional elements with modern creativity, and allows visitors to feel the energy and talent of Ube's next generation.

Event Details and Access

• Name: Shinkawaichi Festival (Shinkawa Market Festival)
• Date and Time: Annually on May 5 (Children's Day), from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Please confirm the latest schedule with the official source before attending.
• Venue: Tokiwa Street (National Route 190 special zone), Nakatsuse Shrine surroundings, Shintencho Arcade
• Address: Tokiwacho, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (main venue area)
• Access:
  • By train: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Ube Shinkawa Station, or within walking distance from Kotozane Station
  • By car: Approximately 15 minutes from the Yamaguchi Expressway Ube Interchange
• Admission: Free (note that some individual booths or activities may charge separate fees)
• Contact: Shinkawaichi Festival Executive Committee (c/o Ube Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Phone: 0836-31-0251.
• Official Website: Refer to the Ube Chamber of Commerce website (ubecci.or.jp) or the official Ube City event information page.
• Notes: The event takes place rain or shine.

Surrounding Area Information

The main venue, Tokiwa Street, is conveniently located within a short walking distance from JR Ube Shinkawa Station. The station area offers a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it easy to enjoy a meal or some shopping before or after the festival. The Shintencho Arcade shopping street, which is also an integrated part of the festival grounds, is particularly lively during this period and features special indoor events like craft workshops for children in case of inclement weather.

Nakatsuse Shrine stands as a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of the city and is the spiritual home of the festival. Built in the late 18th century, the shrine grounds provide a quiet retreat from the bustling marketplace and stalls. It is an ideal spot for a moment of contemplation or to appreciate the traditional shrine architecture that contrasts so vividly with the modern festival atmosphere. Visitors can offer prayers for safety and good fortune during the festival.

Ube City is a unique industrial port city that also boasts beautiful green spaces and coastal scenery. The iconic Tokiwa Park, with its large central pond, seasonal flowers, and family-friendly facilities, is a popular destination for visitors seeking nature. Combining a visit to the Shinkawaichi Festival with a tour of the city's other attractions offers a well-rounded experience of Ube's industrial heritage, natural beauty, and strong community spirit. The area is also known for its delicious local seafood and agricultural produce, which can be sampled at various restaurants around the city.

Related Information

1. Organizer: Shinkawaichi Festival Executive Committee (within the Ube Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
2. Phone (inquiry): 0836-31-0251 (please check the official website for the most up-to-date contact information before calling)
3. Official Website (reference): Ube Chamber of Commerce (ubecci.or.jp) and the Ube City official event information page
4. English Name: Shinkawaichi Festival (also referred to as shinkawaichi-festival)
5. Historical Visitor Numbers: Approximately 25,000 to 30,000 people in recent years
6. Key Historical Facts:

• Origin: A farming tool market that emerged around the establishment of Nakatsuse Shrine in 1797 or 1798.
• Horse Exchange Grand Lottery: Initiated in 1919 (Taisho 8).
• Ube Fox Wedding Procession: A recent addition featuring a public marriage ceremony for a citizen couple.

7. Main Festival Activities:

• Ube Kitsune no Yomeiri Gyoretsu (Ube Fox Wedding Procession)
• Uma-Kae Grand Lottery (Horse Exchange Lottery)
• Hoshi-machi Marche (Star Town Market with approximately 100 booths)
• Yosakoi Festa (street dance performances)
• Hataraku Kuruma (Working Vehicles exhibition)
• Hoshi-machi Campus (high school student-led events)
• Children's Festival (held inside the Shintencho Arcade)

← Explore More Festivals