This lively festival is lauded for its festival music, which is said to be the best in Japan. Ten luxurious and splendid floats, decorated with lacquer and gold dust, parade around the town. The lively accompanying music that resonates through the night is a feature of the festival, and the performance of the festival music echoes through the streets. This festival has been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. 

The festival music is dedicated to the Saiwai Inari Shrine, and continues for two whole days almost without any rest. Held from 19 to 20 August every year, the highlights are the “Ekimae Gyoji” (event held in front of the station) when all the floats assemble in front of Kazuno Hanawa Station, as well as the town boundary negotiations that take place during the “Asatsume,” beginning from midnight on 20 August. During these negotiations, floats obtain permission to pass through the boundaries of each town, but there are also cases where the negotiations break down and the floats jostle with each other. 

The easy access to the event, which is just a one-minute walk from Kazuno Hanawa Station, is another of its merits. Why not experience this seasonal tradition of Kazuno City as summer comes to an end?