O-uo-yoichi (July 31/ at Ohama Park)
This festival has revived a traditional event, which was carried out in the Kamakura Period (1185 - 1333). In the festival, auction sales and sale of fresh seafood are conducted in the old style. Some of the dealers have a humorous chonmage (topknot) hairdo.
Ko-odori (the first Sunday in October/ at Sakurai-jinja Shrine)
It is said that this festival, dedicated to god, originated from the ritual dance of praying for rain. About seventeen dancers disguised as goblin or long-nosed genies perform a dance-along singing poems with bells and drums.
Sakai Festival (the third Sat. & Sun/ at Oshoji-suji Street to Xavier Park, etc.)
The festival includes a parade reviving the history of Sakai with colorful ancient attire. There are other parades in this historical picture scroll such as the one showing national costumes from different countries, and a bicycle parade. Moreover, other attractions are Namban-ichi (a flea market) in which items associated with Sakai are displayed in Xavier Park, and a big tea ceremony remembering Sen-no Rikyu (a great tea ceremony master in the 16th century), held in Nanshu-ji Temple and Daisen Park.
Yassai Hossai (December 14/ at Iwatsuta-jinja Shrine)
In this brave divine ritual, 108 bundles of firewood are burned, and the people challenge to walk through on it with their bare feet. In addition, it is said that half burned firewood will be a protection from evil if they are taken home.
[
Sakai ||
Look Back a Bit |
Transportation |
Main Street |
Places to Visit |
Museums and Parks |
Outdoor Activities |
Local Food |
Arts, Crafts and Specialities |
Festivals and Events |
A Local Celebrity |
Accommodations |
More Information
]
[
Hometown Homepage
]
