Enriched in history and tradition, Japan's colorful battle of giant kites

Shirone giant kite battle is a local tradition that's being held in June every year in Niigata prefecture. This kite battle tradition has a long history of 300 years and it's still being loved and continued by the local people in Shirone.<div

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Shirone's giant kite battle festival

Shirone's giant kite battle is held in Nakakoguchi river of Shirone area, Minami-ku in Niigata prefecture every year in June. The duration of this kite festival usually lasts for 5 days and many teams gather to participate in the battle. For this kite battle, two types of kites are used. One is a large kite with 7m in length and 5m in width and another one is a much smaller size with 2.8m length and 2.2m width, and hexagon in shape. More than 300 kites taking part in this festival, you will be delighted with the variety of colors and patterns of the kites. This festival is surely a perfect event to witness a traditional side of Japan that involves respecting history, creativity, and teamwork. During the festival period, you can also enjoy city parade, kids' kite battles and fireworks as a part of the event.

History of Shirone giant kite festival

The history of the giant kite festival goes back to 300 years during Edo period. In mid-1800, upon completion of construction for embankments for the Nakanoguchi river, Shirone residents celebrated their accomplishment by flying kites. However, a kite had fallen off into the field of opposite bank of west Shirone, causing damages to their corps and angering the owners. Residents of the west Shirone decided to take revenge by flying off their kite and that's how the new tradition of kite battle was created.

Determination of the victory of the kite battle

Two teams stand opposite of each other at embankments of Nakanoguchi river. Shirone team of east bank raise their kite and let it hang low in the air. The team from the west Shirone also raise their kite and entangles the ropes of both kites and crash both kites into the river. Once the kites get into the river, both teams further entangle the kite ropes using the water current and start tugging to break each other's ropes. The team who break opponent's kite rope wins and they get awarded with a victory flag.

Learn more at Shirone Kite Museum

If you are keen to learn more about Japanese kites, Shione kite museum is a must-visit spot. This museum is not just open during the kite battle festival but admissible throughout the year, offering a wide range of entertainment. At Shirone kite museum, you can not only learn about the science and history of Japanese kites, but they exhibit various types of colorful kites with traditional designs and patterns, even 3D kites. You can also try kite making at the museum, creating your very own kite to fly!