[2024 Edition] What is the Matsusaka Gion Festival? A detailed explanation of the highlights, food stalls, access, and more.
掲載日：2024.07.09
The Matsusaka Gion Festival is a seasonal event that heralds the arrival of summer in Matsusaka, and is crowded with many people every year. In this article, we will explain in detail the highlights of the Matsusaka Gion Festival, information on the food stalls, and access.
Article production / Tourism Mie Editorial Department
▼Table of contents
What is Matsusaka Gion Festival?
The Matsusaka Gion Festival is held every year in mid-July around the central shopping district in front of Matsusaka Station and is one of Matsusaka's three major festivals, alongside the Hatsuuma Festival in March and the Ujisato Festival in November.
It is usually held over two days, with the evening festival on Saturday and the main festival on Sunday.
There are many attractions such as the ``Sansha Mikoshi'' and the ``Matsuzaka Shongai Ondo and Dance,'' which will be introduced later.Many people of all ages and genders participate, and the city is filled with vibrancy as people enjoy the long night of the summer festival. Masu.
History of Matsusaka Gion Festival
The Matsusaka Gion Festival is said to have its origins in the Goryoe, which began in Kyoto during the Heian period, and is said to have spread to Matsusaka from the festival at Yasaka Shrine, which enshrines Gozutenno. .
*Gozu Tenno is the guardian deity of Gion Shosha, which is named after the birthplace of Buddha, and is a deity of the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism in Japan.
Before the separation of Buddhism and Shinto in 1868, there were shrines such as Miroku Tenno (Yakumo Shrine, Hino Town), which enshrined Gozu Tenno, Mikuri Tenno (Mikuriya Shrine, Honmachi), and Uryu Tenno. (Uryu Shrine in Uomachi, enshrined in Matsusaka Shrine in 1908), Bishamon Tenno (Yaegaki Shrine in Nishimachi, enshrined in Matsusaka Shrine in 1908) were the Gion-e of four shrines called the Matsusaka Shitenno. It has been reported.
Of the four shrines, mikoshis were brought out during the Miroku Tenno Festival, and during the Genroku era (1688-1704), the mikoshis offered at the shrine were paraded through Matsusaka.
About the schedule
The main schedule of the Matsusaka Gion Festival is as follows.
- [Eve] Saturday, July 13, 2024 13:00-21:00
Three shrines (Mikuriya Shrine, Yakumo Shrine, Matsusaka Shrine)
Kowaka Mikoshi
Japanese drum concert (Matsuzaka Taiko, Hibikiza Inase-gumi, etc.)
- [Today] Sunday, July 14, 2024 10:00-21:00
Sansha Mikoshi (Yakumo Shrine)
stage event
Matsusaka Shongai Ondo and Dance
Matsusaka Shongai Soran
Matsusaka Suzu Odori
Introducing the highlights of the Matsusaka Gion Festival
Highlights of Matsusaka Gion Festival
①Sansha Mikoshi
②Matsusaka Shongai Ondo and dance
③Matsuzaka Suzu Odori
From here on, we will introduce the highlights of each in detail.
①Sansha Mikoshi
The mikoshi portable shrines are carried from the three shrines, Mikuriya Shrine, Yakumo Shrine, and Matsusaka Shrine, and are paraded through the town chanting "Choseya!". The parade that gathers at the intersection of the central shopping street on the evening of the 13th (Sat) is very dynamic and heroic! It can be said to be the climax of the Matsusaka Gion Festival! (The parade is scheduled to start around 20:25.)
*During the climax, the area around the central shopping street intersection will be very crowded with festival goers and mikoshi bearers, so if you are bringing small children, please be careful not to get lost.
Also, on the same day, the ``Kowaka Mikoshi'' event is held, where children from fourth grade to third grade of junior high school parade carrying mikoshi. Just like the "Sansha Mikoshi", the sight of children energetically carrying the mikoshi is also a must-see!
②Matsusaka Shongai Ondo and dance
When the lord of Matsuzaka Castle, Lord Gamo Ujisato, built Matsuzaka Castle in 1588 (Tensho 16), he invited the craftsmen and farmers who were involved in the construction to come to the castle to help them, and held a drinking party to mark the completion. It was held. It is said to have originated from the songs and dances performed by the farmers who participated in the banquet, and it has been designated as an intangible folk cultural property by MatsusakaCity.
The word ``shongai'' comes from the word ``I can't help it,'' and over the years it has become an accented word. There is no background music, and the ondo master sings old stories and topics from the era with a microphone, taking turns singing with improvisation, and the hayashi and shimedaiko are added.
It is widely held at events other than the Matsusaka Gion Festival, and has become a summer tradition in Matsusaka for over 400 years, where performers and dancers come together to enjoy it.
In addition, "Matsusaka Shongai Soran" will be performed on the 14th (Sun), which adds elements of "Yosakoi Soran" to "Matsusaka Shongai Ondo and Dance" and is danced to songs such as "Come to MatsusakaCity," whose lyrics include names of famous people and local specialties associated with Matsusaka City.
Participants are welcome to participate in the Matsusaka Shongai Ondo and Dance, Matsusaka Shongai Soran, and the Matsusaka Suzu Odori (described later), so why not dance with them and enjoy the Matsusaka Gion Festival even more? ?
③Matsuzaka Suzu Odori
It is said to have been created to convey the achievements of Norinaga MotooriNorinaga, a Japanese scholar from Matsusaka.The dancers dance lightly while holding the bells that Norinaga liked in their hands or wearing them on their bodies while making the sound of the bells. .
"Matsuzaka Suzu Odori" is danced at local nursery schools, kindergartens, and elementary school sports days, and is familiar to locals, but for those who are seeing it for the first time, it is a light dance that echoes the sound of bells. You may feel comfortable.
Like the Matsusaka Shongai Ondo and Dance and the Matsusaka Shongai Soran, this will be held on Sunday the 14th.
There are also plenty of other things to see, such as a Japanese drum concert by Hibikiza Inase-gumi, a Japanese drum group active mainly in MatsusakaCity and a stage event near the Hinocho intersection. Please enjoy!
About opening stalls etc.
Many food stalls and food trucks from local restaurants will be set up mainly around the Matsusaka central shopping district.
Be sure to try the food and drinks unique to the festival and MatsusakaCity 's local gourmet food.
*Please throw away your trash in the garbage bags at the stalls.
About access, parking, and traffic regulations
The Matsusaka Gion Festival is held around the Matsusaka central shopping street, which runs straight in front of the south exit of Matsusaka Station.
On the day of the event, there will be traffic restrictions around the venue, and the number of parking spaces in the surrounding area is limited, so we recommend arriving by train or bus.
Access by train
Get off at JR/Kintetsu "Matsuzaka" station, immediately after exiting the south ticket gate
Access by bus
- Immediately get off at Mie Kotsu bus “Matsusaka Ekimae”
- Immediately get off at Suzu no Oto bus "JR Matsusaka Station"
*During the Matsusaka Gion Festival, there will be some detours, so the following bus stops will not be available.
- Mie Kotsu bus
hiraomachi, Patio Hino-machi, Hino-cho (Belltown), Shinmachi 1-chome, Shinmachi 4-chome, Kuroda-cho, Nishibayashi, Uchigomagari - bell sound bus
hiraomachi, Patio Hino-machi, Hino-cho (Belltown), Yoiho Mall, Yoiho Mall Kita, Matsusaka Industrial Ground-mae, Shinmachi 1-chome, Shinmachi 4-chome
Access by car
Approximately 20 minutes from Ise Expressway “Matsusaka IC” to the city center (festival area)
*Please refrain from parking at surrounding commercial facilities.
About parking lot
You can use the parking lots around the venue, but the number of parking spaces is limited.
Please come by public transportation if possible.
About traffic regulations
Traffic restrictions will be in place from 12:30 to 21:30 on Saturday the 13th, and from 9:30 to 21:30 on Sunday the 14th.
Please check the map below for details.
Recommended gourmet food in Matsusaka
We will introduce recommended gourmet food in MatsusakaCity, where the Matsusaka Gion Festival is held.
Matsusaka beef
Matsusaka beef, also known as ``meat art'', is recognized as the best beef cattle in Japan due to its excellent quality, traditional farming in a rich natural setting, and the introduction and management of the system. It has also received praise from around the world. If you come to MatsusakaCity, be sure to try the authentic Matsusaka beef!
Matsusaka chicken grilled meat
In MatsusakaCity, not only the world-famous Matsusaka beef, but also chicken grilled meat, which is cheaper than Matsusaka beef, is popular among the common people, and the city has become famous nationwide through TV coverage, etc. It has come to be called the soul food of MatsusakaCity. Unlike yakitori, chicken yakiniku is characterized by the fact that it is not skewered, and instead is served with a sweet and spicy miso sauce.
An exquisite yakiniku dish of grilled chicken covered in a delicious miso sauce. Matsusaka beef is good, but why not try the local gourmet chicken yakiniku?
How was it
We have introduced the Matsusaka Gion Festival schedule, highlights, and Matsusaka gourmet information.
Come join the festival, feel the arrival of summer in Matsusaka, and make some wonderful summer memories!
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