As the scent of tatami becomes nostalgic in this season, Hayashima Town's summer tradition, the Hanago Festival, will be held again this year.
This event, long cherished by local residents, is a festival of igusa (rush grass) that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike all day long.
The 31st edition will take place over two days, on June 28 (Saturday) and 29 (Sunday), 2025, at the West Special Venue of Hayashima Town Hall.
A lively two days where you can see, touch, learn about, and play with igusa and tatami.
We have heard about its highlights, history, and the thoughts of the organizers.
What is the "31st Hayashima-Kurashiki Hanago Festival"?
The Hanago Festival is an annual event in Hayashima Town that has continued since the time when the culture of igusa and tatami was a normal part of life.
Local tatami makers, wholesalers, and manufacturers gather to hold the festival with the hope of making the charm of igusa better known, in cooperation with Hayashima Town and Kurashiki City.
This year's Hanago Festival will feature popular igusa sales, tatami replacement sales, workshops using fragrant igusa, a stamp rally, food stalls, a karuta (Japanese card game) tournament on tatami, a giant maze, and a variety of other events.
Both children and adults can enjoy a fun event that gets them moving and smiling.
Overview of the 30th Hayashima-Kurashiki Hanago Festival
The 30th Hayashima-Kurashiki Hanago Festival, held last year (2024), attracted about 12,000 visitors over two days and was a great success.
At the venue, there were rare experiences such as mini tatami making and hand-weaving of hanago, which are not usually available, and the children were captivated with shining eyes.
The time spent finishing a small tatami under the guidance of craftsmen is truly a valuable opportunity to "learn about tradition through experience."
Additionally, many regular visitors come every year, and the ability to purchase igusa products at special prices during the Hanago Festival is a major attraction.
For fans of hanago and igusa products, it is a great opportunity to find hidden treasures.
Interview with the President and Vice President of the Hanago Festival
We spoke with Sato Seiji, the president of the Okayama Specialty Hanago Festival Executive Committee, and Watanabe Ichiro, the vice president, about the 2025 Hanago Festival.
How did the Hanago Festival begin?
Sato (no honorifics)
The Hanago Festival began in an era when igusa and tatami were more familiar.
Initially, the main focus was on mats laid on tatami, but now there are many products laid on flooring, and the products have evolved with the times.
Additionally, the event has evolved into participatory workshops.
Watanabe (no honorifics)
Adults are familiar with the scent of igusa, so they say it is "nostalgic," but children, who are not familiar with it, respond with "it's a strange smell" or "what is this smell?"
That is why we hope it will be an opportunity for children to touch igusa.
What is hanago in the Hanago Festival?
Sato
Hanago refers to mats woven with dyed igusa that have vibrant patterns emerging.
In the past, there were only plain mats, but the beginning of hanago was when Isozaki Ninkai from Kurashiki created three-dimensional patterns.
What are the highlights of the 2025 festival?
Sato
The highlight is definitely the inaugural karuta tournament.
It will be an activity where participants can enjoy igusa and tatami while sitting on tatami in a scattered card-drawing format.
The idea came from local elementary school students suggesting, "How about having a karuta tournament in a tatami room of an empty house?" and it was born from there.
This time, high school and university students from within and outside the region, as well as adults, are expected to support the operation as volunteers.
However, we hope they will not only support the Hanago Festival but also enjoy the event itself through the karuta tournament and other activities.
Are there any other new initiatives?
Sato
We have newly planned a workshop for making "igusa pillows."
It is an experience where you can create your own original pillow while being healed by the scent of igusa.
The participation fee is about 1,000 yen, making it easy to join.
Additionally, we have prepared a Hanago Festival stamp rally and a game to find igusa rangers.
There are many events that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, so we hope families, friends, and local residents will enjoy them together.
What kind of stalls will be at the delicious food village?
Sato
In the food village, not only from Hayashima Town but also from Kurashiki City (Chayamachi, Nakasho, etc.), members of the Tsukubo Chamber of Commerce will set up stalls.
There will be yakisoba, ramen, local Japanese and Western sweets, a bazaar by the women's group, and plant vendors, offering not only food but also merchandise, which many people look forward to every year.
Watanabe
Because it is a community-based event, we are happy if people not only enjoy the event but also discover the charm of Hayashima.
How many visitors usually come?
Sato
In 2024, about 10,000 to 12,000 people visited over the two days.
We hope that in 2025, even more people will come and the whole town will be lively.
Do you have any recommendations for enjoying the Hanago Festival?
Sato
First of all, it is best to casually enjoy the scents and textures.
By actually touching and experiencing making igusa pillows or hand-weaving, I believe the goodness of igusa will be conveyed even more.
There are many projects for small children to play, so it is also attractive for parents and children to enjoy together.
Watanabe
I recommend going around the Hanago Festival venue and the Hayashima Town Historical and Folklore Museum, participating in the stamp rally and gourmet booths, experiencing hanago ping pong and the karuta tournament, and searching for your favorite igusa products.
I believe the charm of the Hanago Festival is that you can experience "seeing, buying, making, eating, and playing" all in one place.
Are there any special offers?
Sato
Yes, we will have tatami mat replacement sales.
This has been very popular every year, and we plan to do it again in 2025.
As part of the tatami mat consumption expansion campaign, we will offer tatami mat replacements at special prices during the Hanago Festival.
Is your tatami dirty or damaged?
We will perform replacement work to renew only the surface of the tatami mat.
This is a joint project with the Hayashima Igusa Product Wholesalers Association and the Okayama Prefectural Tatami Industry Association, so you can trust us with it.
Please consider this opportunity for affordable tatami mat replacement.
There will also be a mini tatami gift.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Sato
Why not spend some relaxing time on tatami, surrounded by the scent of igusa?
This event allows you to experience igusa culture through playing, making, eating, and lying down, and it is enjoyable for both adults and children, so please feel free to come and play.
Watanabe
There are many interesting things hidden in Hayashima.
I hope you will visit and find your own charm.
I would be happy if the Hanago Festival could be the reason for you to visit.
Conclusion
Surrounded by the scent of tatami, lying down, laughing, and playing.
The Hanago Festival is a place where you can spend a fun day.
"Tatami feels this good"
"Igusa has such a nice scent"
Voices like these can be heard here and there during the lively two days.
The 31st Hayashima-Kurashiki Hanago Festival will be held on June 28 (Saturday) and 29 (Sunday) at the West Special Venue of Hayashima Town Hall.
We hope you will come with your family and friends to experience the goodness of igusa.
Data for the 31st Hayashima and Kurashiki Hanago Festival
| Name | 31st Hayashima and Kurashiki Hanago Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | June 28, 2025 (Saturday) 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM June 29, 2025 (Sunday) 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| Location | Hayashima Town Hall West Special Venue |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Homepage | Official Instagram |
