Current Events
Atsuta Matsuri (Shobu-Sai) The Atsuta Matsuri festival features displays of martial arts, sumo wrestling and spectacular firework arrangements. It is the largest festival to be held at the Atsuta-Jingu Park (Atsuta-Jingu Shrine), the gates of which are lit by several large floats, each adorned with 365 lanterns. A seperate procession of smaller floats makes its way through the park, accompanied by the street vendors, who wind their way through the crowds by the light of the lanterns. A buzzing festival set in a warm and beautiful atmosphere.
July Basho The Nagoya Basho is the biggest and most important sumo event of the year. It takes place from the first to the third Sunday in July and is a fabulous opportunity to see Japan’s best wrestlers. With a long and celebrated history, Sumo is one of Japan’s favourite sports and remains very traditional, with the referee’s fan (Gyoji) and the symbolic salt scattering, paying tribute to the grand ceremony and legend which surrounds it. Sumo also requires great skill and the wrestlers compete at this July Basho to become the grand champion (Yokuzuna). The best seats are closest to the ring (Dohyo), but tickets are difficult to obtain. Tickets for non-reserved seats can be purchased from the box office on the day, from 8:30 am.
Marine Day Last year, 2006, Marine Day celebrated its 60th anniversary, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Nagoya Port opening. Nagoya Marine Day takes place on the third Monday of July, every year, in recognition of the long and intimate relationship between the town and the sea. The festival comprises a great variety of events and performances, including dancing, music and a Raftsmen’s competition. Last year around 250,000 visitors took part in the maritime festival, enjoying a dance performance by over 1,500 local residents. The highlight of the event is a spectacular fireworks display in the evening, at Nagoya Port Garden Pier.
Nagoya Castle Summer Festival The grounds of the Nagoya Castle are brought to life in early August, every year, with music and dancing and various theatre performances, a t the Nagoya Castle Summer Festival. Events include, a noh play and a rock concert by local and national artists. The main event is a large dance, in which everyone takes part, to the heavy beat of the drums and flutes playing. Many vendors and their stalls add to the busy and exciting atmosphere, selling many types of food and drink (noodles, fish and chicken, and more…), plus toys and souvenirs.
Nagoya Firework Festival This festival is by far one of the noisiest events on the Nagoya calendar! With more than 10,000 fireworks, from Japan’s finest firework makers, the Nagoya Firework Festival is one of the largest of its kind, and attracts over 55,000 spectators each year. A spectacular explosion of colour, lighting up the Nagoya sky and reflected in the waters of the Yada River. The crowds collect on the banks of the river to listen to the accompanying music and watch this fantastic display. |
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