My daughter's end-of-term ceremony finished, and since the whole family was gathered for the first time in a while, we headed out to the annual historic festival, the 51st Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival.
My daughter, with a summer festival hairstyle, was beaming in front of the mirror, saying, "We're going to the festival!" Her excitement made me smile naturally just by seeing her.
What is the "51st Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival"?
The 51st Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival was held on July 20, 2024 (Saturday), and is the largest festival in Kurashiki City.
The main venue is Kurashiki Chuo Street, from Kurashiki City Art Museum to JR Kurashiki Station.
Although it has been canceled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is cherished by the citizens as a summer tradition held every year in late July.
The main event is the Daikan Bayashi Dance & OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance. The following groups participated in the 51st festival.
- Daikan Bayashi Dance: 14 groups
- OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance: 13 groups
Until last year (2023), only teams that registered in advance could participate, but starting this year, the 51st festival introduced a "General Dance" that allows for spontaneous participation.
Festival Overview
It was a day of intense heat, but the street in front of the station was filled with the excitement of the festival, and more people than usual gathered.
The sounds of laughter and cheerful conversations from families, friends, and couples filled the air, embodying the essence of the festival. Colorful food stalls lined the streets, and the delicious aromas wafted through the air as children became engrossed in activities like yo-yo fishing and masks, while adults enjoyed nostalgic games.
Particularly popular were the shaved ice stalls.
My daughter happily picked up a lemon-flavored shaved ice and was overjoyed by its coldness.
Additionally, cute dogs participated in the festival, enjoying the atmosphere as if to say, "Let us join the fun too."
Watching the harmonious scene, our family was able to truly enjoy the festival.
Daikan Bayashi Dance & OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance
The main stage of the festival was set up in front of Achi Terrace Kurashiki, where the host explained the current situation. A sign language interpreter was also present on stage, providing simultaneous interpretation.
The Daikan Bayashi Dance & OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance were performed by groups divided around the main stage.
What we saw was the "Daikan Bayashi Dance," and the performance by the Chayamachi Oni no Kai particularly caught our attention.
When they appeared in their heavy costumes and demon masks, the atmosphere of the festival heightened instantly. They performed a dance wishing for the elimination of disasters, and it was impressive to see the audience enjoying it along with the rhythm.
The "Hiroeba Machi ga Suki ni Naru Undō"
At the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival, the "Hiroeba Machi ga Suki ni Naru Undō," which has been ongoing since 2008, was also implemented this time.
The "Hiroeba Machi ga Suki ni Naru Undō" is a participatory cleaning activity conducted by Japan Tobacco Inc. (abbreviated as "JT") at local events such as festivals nationwide.
At the booth, staff lend out trash bags and tongs needed for picking up litter. Collected trash is taken back to the booth and sorted into bins labeled "Burnable Trash," "Non-burnable Trash," etc.
On this day, the members of the 42nd Kurashiki Komachi were also active, marking their first job.
Conclusion
The Kurashiki Tenryo Festival is a wonderful event that not only conveys a sense of history and tradition but also allows one to feel the bonds and warmth of the local people.
Next year, I hope to participate in this enjoyable festival with my family again.
Data on the 51st Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival
| Name | 51st Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | July 20, 2024 (Saturday) 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
| Location | In front of JR Kurashiki Station |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free (food and drink costs are separate) |
| Website | Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival |
