Nagahama Hikiyama Festival

Children’s kabuki atop gorgeous hikiyama floats is the main attraction

The Nagahama Hikiyama Festival is held at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine in Miyamae-cho, Nagahama. One of the crowd-pleasing events associated with the ceremony is the procession of　Edo-period floats (hikiyama) through the streets of Nagahama. Children performing kabuki atop the floats are a highlight of the event. The children’s kabuki is performed by boys selected from among those belonging to the association owning the particular float.

Hikiyama (floats): Hikiyama are a type of dashi. In Japan, dashi is a general term for dashimono, referring to objects that are pulled or that are carried on the shoulder during ceremonies. They are often gorgeously decorated with flowers, dolls or other objects. Depending on the area, dashi take different names and forms, such as hikiyama or matsuri yatai.