Tomida Ishidori Matsuri

What Is the Tomida Ishidori Matsuri?

The Tomida Ishidori Matsuri is a festival held each summer in the Tomida district of Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. The "Ishidori Matsuri" is a festival widely transmitted in the Hokusei region (northern Mie Prefecture), known as a spirited and lively summer festival in which "festival carts" (saisha) fiercely beating drums and gongs parade through the town. It is a summer tradition distinctive to the Tomida district, belonging to the lineage of the Ishidori festivals made famous by the Kuwana Ishidori Matsuri, which is also called "the noisiest festival in Japan."

History and Origins

The Ishidori Matsuri is said to derive originally from the rite of "ishidori," in which pure stones used in a shrine's festival were gathered from a river. In the Hokusei region, this stone-gathering event developed into a lively festival in which festival carts are pulled while drums and gongs are beaten. The Tomida Ishidori Matsuri, too, inheriting the faith and tradition of this region, is a festival that has been protected by the hands of the townspeople. The festival carts that each neighborhood takes pride in are gorgeous, adorned with intricate carvings and metalwork, conveying to this day the spirit of local people.

Highlights

The greatest attraction is the spirited sight of festival carts parading through the town while drums and gongs are beaten with all one's might. The powerful playing, in which the ringing of the gongs and the belly-shaking sound of the drums become one, is the real charm of the Ishidori Matsuri. The sight of festival carts beautifully adorned with lanterns advancing through the town at night is magical, enlivening the festival together with the fervor of the musicians. The beauty of the lavishly decorated festival carts themselves is also a highlight. Visitors can experience a lively and energetic festival that colors the summer of Hokusei.

When It Takes Place

The festival is typically held in summer (August) in the Tomida district of Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. As a summer festival, its season is summer. The operation of the festival carts is centered on the night. Because the details of dates and routes vary from year to year, visitors are advised to confirm in advance through official announcements from Yokkaichi City and the local organizers.

Access

The Tomida district can be reached from Tomida Station on the JR Kansai Main Line and Kintetsu-Tomida Station on the Kintetsu Nagoya Line. Located in the northern part of Yokkaichi, it can be accessed by JR or Kintetsu from the direction of Nagoya. As traffic restrictions and crowds are expected in the area during the festival, public transport is recommended.

Around the Area

Yokkaichi is a core city in northern Mie Prefecture where one can enjoy factory night views and the seafood of Ise Bay. In the same Tomida district, the "Tomida Kujirabune Festival," also inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, is held, allowing visitors to engage with the region's festival culture as well. In nearby Kuwana, the "Kuwana Ishidori Matsuri," famed as the home of the Ishidori festival, is held, along with tourist destinations such as Nabana no Sato and Nagashima Onsen. It is an area where one can savor the festival culture and tourism of the Hokusei region.

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