content: Toukasan Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Hiroshima and marks the start of summer with colorful yukata. Join this traditional summer festival in your favorite yukata!
Summary
Toukasan Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Hiroshima and marks the start of summer with colorful yukata. Join this traditional summer festival in your favorite yukata! This article gives you detailed insights on what to expect in the festival and its history, as well as a beautiful collection of yukata (a summer kimono).
Facebook で見るWhat Is The Toukasan Festival?
The Toukasan Festival is one of the 3 biggest festivals in Hiroshima and is also known as the “Yukata Festival”. It is said that the Toukasan Festival brings summer to Hiroshima, the locals dress in yukata from the start till the end of the festival.
The festival is held over 3 days and attracts around 450,000 people every year. Only for 3 days in the year, you can meet the shintai (objects of worship housed in the temple that are believed to contain the spirit of a deity) of the god Inari Daimyojin. This makes this festival such a rare occasion to offer a prayer so close to the spirit of the god. About 80,000 people come to pray at the Enryu Temple during the festival. The Toukasan Festival is a special event beloved by locals and visitors.
Where & When?
The first weekend of June every year, Toukasan Festival is held in Enryu Temple in Hiroshima City. The Enryu Temple deifies the god Inari Daimyojin which is the guardian deity of Hokke-kyo Buddhism and the festival is devoted to Inari Daimyojin. The name “Touka” comes from the Chinese reading of the word “Inari”, the god of rice and prosperity in Japan.
History
The Enryu Temple was founded in 1619 by Nagaakira Asano, the first feudal lord of Hiroshima. The temple and locals have devotedly worshipped the Inari Daimyojin since 1619. It is believed that the mighty power of the Inari Daimyojin has protected Hiroshima Castle and provided peace and prosperity to the people.
The Toukasan Festival started in 1620, the year following the temple’s founding. For around 400 years, Inari Daimyojin has been an object of worship by the local people of Hiroshima.
Highlights Of The Toukasan Festival
Colorful & Summery Yukata
via www.photo-ac.comWith the Toukasan Festival being also known as “Yukata Festival”, there are more people dressed in colorful yukata than ordinary clothing! It is wonderful to see all those colorful and summery yukata!
500 Red Lanterns At The Temple
via www.photo-ac.comWhen you step into the Enryu Temple and reach to the precincts, you will be welcomed by the magnificent view of 500 red lanterns. These lanterns, the icon of the Tokasan Festival, provide a magical atmosphere to the nights of the festival. Make sure you visit the temple at night to witness it!
Hama Uchiwa (Fan To Ward Off Devils)
These special hama uchiwa are only sold during the Toukasan Festival. They are believed to ward off devils and bring happiness, peace and a long life.
1,000 Food Stalls And Shops
via www.photo-ac.comThe main street is closed and converted to pedestrian-only for the duration of the festival. the street will contain 1,000 food stalls and shops to entertain the guests. Try the summer festival staples such as yakisoba (stir-fried noodles with meat and vegetables), okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes), ringo ame (toffee apples) and kaki gori (shaved ice with various flavorings)!
Show Off Your Favorite Yukata At The Toukasan Festival!
What Is A Yukata?
A yukata is a Japanese traditional garment, a casual summer version of a kimono. It is usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric. The yukata is worn by wrapping it around the body and belting it with a sash called an obi. The same as a kimono, the yukata can be worn by both men and women.
Yukata In Various Colors And Patterns
via www.photo-ac.comYukata’s come in a wide selection of colors and patterns. People enjoy creating their own styles by coordinating the look with other items such as the obi (sash), geta (wooden sandals), uchiwa (fan), sensu (folding fan), kinchaku (bag with drawstrings) and hair ornaments for women.
Here are some of the beautiful yukata styles:
via www.photo-ac.comThere are many ways of tying an obi (sash) ranging from an orthodox method to more creative styles.
via www.photo-ac.comYou can customize your own yukata with accessories such as a bag, geta sandals and hair ornaments.
via www.photo-ac.comMen’s yukata designs tend to be more minimalist and stylish whereas women’s yukata are often more gorgeous and colorful.
via www.pakutaso.comA pale sky-blue yukata perfect for a summer festival!
via www.photo-ac.comA chic, elegant yukata with prints of morning glory flowers, which is a common summer flower in Japan.
via www.pakutaso.comIt's more fun when you dress up in yukata with your friends and partners!
ia www.photo-ac.comHow about a pop, cute yukata for your little ones?
Join The Toukasan Festival In Yukata!
via www.photo-ac.comCan’t wait to dress in a yukata for the Toukasan Festival? There will be a yukata market and dressing services at the festival venue. If you buy a yukata set there, dressing staff will help you put it on. If you bring your own yukata, they will assist you with dressing or fix your yukata which may have come loose for a fee of 500 yen. There is no other yukata festival like this, so why not join the fun and dress like a local! As a bonus, many shops and cafes offer discounts or product samples if you shop there in a yukata!
Yukata Rental Information
If you just want to rent a yukata for the festival, here are a few shops near Hiroshima Station where you can rent a yukata:
Shining a way
In this hair salon, you can rent your choice of yukata and they will dress you up for 5,000 yen. You can check the availability of yukata in their website. All rental yukata must be reserved in advance.
Address: 4-14 Nagarekawachō, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0028
Tel: +81 82 246 2586
Website: http://shining0408.com/publics/index/16/
Houkago Kimono Club
This shop offers yukata rental and dressing service for 3,000 yen. All rental yukata must be reserved in advance.
Address: 2 Chome-4-30 Honkawacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0802
Tel: +81 80-1637-0879
Website: http://houkagokimonoclub.com/rental_menu.html
*Please note that English may not be spoken in some tourist spot facilities.
*The price mentioned above is at the time of writing and subject to change. Please check the latest information when making a reservation.
Experience Summer In Hiroshima In The Most Japanese Way
A festival in a temple, stalls with delicious food, nostalgically lit with lanterns and strolling the evening streets in yukata! Everything about the Toukasan Festival ticks off all the Japanese summer must-do’s in such a perfect way. By the time the festival is over, you will most likely end up with some local friends and great memories of this special event. The Hiroshima locals are waiting to see you in your yukata in June 2019!
Information
From Tokyo to Hiroshima
By Airplane: It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Haneda Airport or Narita Airport in Tokyo to Hiroshima Airport.
By Shinkansen: It takes about 4 hours from JR Tokyo Station to JR Hiroshima Station.
Access To The Enryu Temple
From JR Hiroshima Station Take a Hiroshima Dentetsu tram No. 1 and get off at Hatchobori stop. The temple is a 5-minute walk away from the stop.*Although there are many paid parking spots around the festival venue, it is recommended to use the public transportation as there will be heavy traffic during the festival period.
Enryu Temple
Address: 8-12 Mikawacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0029
Tel: +81 82-241-7420
Open Hours: 12:00 – 23:00 (closes at 22:00 on the final day)
Admission: Free
The Toukasan Festival 2019
Date: The first weekend of June (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Venue: Enryu Temple and the adjacent Chuo-dori (central street)
Admission: Free
*Please note that English may not be spoken in some tourist spot facilities.
*This information is at the time of writing and subject to change. Please check the latest information prior to your travel.
http://www.toukasan.jp/english.html
Referenece List
http://www.toukasan.jp/omatsuri.html
https://sk-imedia.com/toukasanmaturi-829.html
https://da-inn.com/toukasan-7917/
http://www.rental-mine.org/web/rental/yukata
http://www.chushinren.jp/eventinfo/yukata.htm
