Festival and Events

Hanamaki Festival (September 5 - 7, city center)

Accompanied by Hanamaki Festival music, colorful floats, Shishi-odori dancers and Kagura Gongen-mai dancers parade through the town. It is said that this festival became an annual tradition when the people made floats and paraded the streets on the anniversary of the death of Kita Shosai, the founder of the town. Thus the event is also known as the Shosai Festival. 		Hanamaki Festival

soba

All Japan Noodle Eating Contest (February 11, Hanamaki Municipal Gymnasium)

Contestants compete the amount of soba (buckwheat noodles) they could devour within a limited time span. The record for a time span of 5 minutes is 188 bowls!

Takamura Kotaro Day (May 15, Kotaro's Cottage)

To commemorate the day that Takamura evacuated from Tokyo and moved to Hanamaki, flowers and tea are presented to his memorial stone. A tea party is held and poetry is read as well.

Miyazawa Kenji Day (September 21, Kenji Memorial Stone)

On the anniversary of Miyazawa's death, poetry is read, Miyazawa's songs are sung, discussions are held, plays of children's tales are performed, and dances are held at the Kenji Memorial Stone.

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