Takada Festival (May 19) This festival held in the Takada Atago Shrine has been continuing since the Houreki era (1751-1764). Three sacred carts named Shoujou, Rinkasei, and Kagura are towed from the towns of Nishi-machi, Higashi-machi, and Shimokawahara, respectively. This festival attracts many people from the neighboring areas. The carts are unique in that the platforms rotate 360 degrees. Among the three carts, the Shoujou cart, built in 1822 is especially beautiful.

The Lion-Mask Dance of Kurikasa This festival is to pray for a good harvest and safety of the town and the shishimai (lion-mask dance) takes its roots from the dances of the Ise Jingu shrine. The dance is very comical and acrobatic, and sometimes one man carries another on his shoulders to portray a giant lion. Kurikasa is an old port town and this dance is said to have been started by fishermen who were very skillful in jumping from one boat to another and many of the gestures were taken from their daily action. On the day of the festival, the dancers wearing happi coats, masks, swords, and bells stroll through the streets. The climax of the festival is the offering of the lion-mask dance in the Takada Atago Shrine.

The Joruri Dolls of Murohara