What is Matsusaka Hatsuuma Festival 2024? Explanation of schedule, access, stall information, etc.
掲載日：2024.03.01
The Matsusaka Hatsuuma Festival, known as an event that brings spring to Matsusaka, will be held from March 9th to 10th, 2024. The venue of the event, ``Okadera Yamatsugishoji'', is visited by many people every year to ward off evil spirits. In this article, we will explain in detail the schedule of "Matsuzaka Hatsuuma Festival 2024", access to the venue, etc.
Article production / Tourism Mie Editorial Department
▼Table of contents
What is Matsusaka Hatsuuma Festival?
The Matsusaka Hatsuuma Festival (Hatsuuma Daisai) is held every March around Okadera Sankeishoji Temple and the central shopping street in front of Matsusaka Station, the Gion Festival is held in July, and the Gion Festival is held in November. One of Matsusaka's three major festivals, along with the Ujisato Festival.
Hatsuuma, the first horse's day at the beginning of March, is said to be the most beneficial for people in unlucky years to pray to ward off misfortune, and is crowded with many worshipers, including those in unlucky years.
There were many stalls and stalls set up around the venue, including the auspicious toy ``Saruhajiki,'' which is said to ``repel evil spirits,'' and ``Nejiriokoshi,'' which is said to ``repel evil spirits.'' Buy these and pray for a safe year.
Okadera Yamatsugishoji Temple, known as a temple to ward off evil spirits
The venue, Okadera Yamatsugishoji Temple, is famous as a temple that wards off evil spirits, and is affectionately known by the locals as ``Okadera'' and ``Okadera-san.''
Going back in history, during the Nara period, this temple was built by Gyoki in 743 at the request of Emperor Shomu, who wished for the success of the great project of building Todaiji Temple. Then, when Emperor Shomu was 42 years old and had an unlucky year, he offered the temple's principal image, Nyoirin Kanzeon Bodhisattva, to the imperial court and prayed for it, and then it was enshrined here again. For this reason, it has become popular among the people of this area as a Kannon that wards off evil spirits.
Later, the temple was washed away by a flood, but a fisherman from Futami, who picked up the principal image from the sea, heard a message from Benzaiten (one of the Seven Lucky Gods), became a priest, and rebuilt the temple as "Tsugimatsu Hoshi." It is said that it was given the name ``Keishoji Temple'' because of this.
The principal image, Nyoirin Kannon, is known as a Kannon that wards off evil spirits, and Okaderayama Tsushimatsuji Temple, where it is enshrined, is Japan's oldest sacred place to ward off evil spirits.
About the schedule
The main schedule of the Matsusaka Hatsuuma Festival is as follows.
*The ``Yakumari Takarae Palanquin Parade'', which is held every year and is a procession in kimono mainly for women in unlucky years, has been cancelled.
- [Yomiya]
March 9, 2024 (Sat) 10:00-21:00
【today】
March 10, 2024 (Sunday) 10:00-19:00
[Reception hours for prayers for good luck and warding off evil spirits during the Hatsuuma Festival]
March 9th (Sat) 8:00-20:00
Sunday, March 10th 8:00-20:00
*On days other than those listed above, applications are accepted every day from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 16:00.
About opening stalls etc.
Many food stalls and food trucks from local restaurants will be set up around Okadera Keishoji Temple and the Matsusaka Central Shopping District. Please take this opportunity to sample the food and drinks unique to the festival and the local gourmet food of MatsusakaCity.
*Please throw away your trash in the garbage bags at the stalls.
By the way, you often see two things at the Matsusaka Hatsuuma Festival.
I will introduce these two things below.
① Monkey Hajiki
It is a lucky toy made of bamboo that is said to have originated in the Edo period, and it has the meaning of ``repelling bad luck'' by repelling monkeys with bamboo springs. It is characterized by a decorative feather attached to the tip, and many people carry it while walking during the Hatsuuma Festival. Each monkey hajiki is handmade, and it's fun to try finding your favorite color and shape.
② Twisting
Nejiri-okoshi is a confectionery sprinkled with bright blue seaweed that is said to ward off bad luck.
Because it resembles the undulating shape of the soil when a plow is used to dig up a rice field, it is said to be a lucky charm that wards off bad luck from cows and horses before spring farming begins. By the way, ``Kaminariokoshi'', one of Tokyo's specialties, was developed by a person from Matsusaka who was inspired by Nejiriokoshi.
Both Saruhajiki and Nejiriokoshi are sold at street stalls and stalls, so if you are interested, please buy them♪
About access, parking, and traffic regulations
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
*Approximately 5 minutes walk to Okadera Yamatsugishoji Temple
Access by bus
- Immediately get off at Mie Kotsu bus “Matsusaka Ekimae”
- Immediately get off at Suzu no Oto bus "JR Matsusaka Station"
*Approximately 5 minutes walk to Okadera Yamatsugishoji Temple
*During the Matsusaka Hatsuuma 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 9:00 to 21:00 on the 9th (Saturday) and from 9:30 to 19:00 on the 10th (Sunday).
Please check the map below for details.
Recommended gourmet food in Matsusaka
We will introduce recommended gourmet food in MatsusakaCity, where the Matsusaka Hatsuuma 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 Hatsuuma Festival schedule, highlights, and Matsusaka gourmet information. Why not go to the Matsusaka Hatsuuma Festival to ward off evil spirits and pray for a safe year ahead?
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