During the Edo period, Shimotsui flourished as a port of call for Kitamaebune trading ships.
The area that bustled in those days still retains its historic charm as the Shimotsui Townscape Preservation District, watching over the lives of its residents.
In May 2025, “Shimotsui Port’s Bridal Procession” was held in the Shimotsui Townscape Preservation District.
These days, there may be few opportunities to witness a bridal procession in town. Intrigued by one being held in this historic setting, I went along to congratulate the bride and groom.
Here’s a look at the bridal procession, filled with smiles from local residents.
The information presented was accurate when this article was published in May 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is “Shimotsui Port’s Bridal Procession”?
“Shimotsui Port’s Bridal Procession” was held in the Shimotsui Townscape Preservation District.
In the Shimotsui Townscape Preservation District, where the atmosphere of a port town remains strong, the bride and groom, dressed in splendid attire, slowly make their way through the streets. Local residents gather to celebrate, allowing visitors to enjoy the lively atmosphere of Shimotsui.
It is a warmhearted community event that feels as though a little happiness is being shared with you.
The event was planned by Tsukamoto Yukari, a member of the Shimotsui Sea Village Project, which works on community development in Shimotsui. Tsukamoto Yukari is a folk singer who has won the National Shimotsui-bushi Contest.
In 2024, the same location also hosted a festival called “Shimotsui Yoiakari,” which passes down Shimotsui-bushi, drawing many people to the townscape preservation district.
The procession was planned with the hope of “making use of the townscape preservation district, which has supported people’s lives since long ago, and passing on the culture of that time.”
It would be wonderful if this became an annual tradition as one of the local events that preserve Shimotsui’s culture.
The bridal procession
On Sunday, May 25, 2025, when I headed to the Shimotsui Townscape Preservation District, more spectators than expected had gathered even before the procession began.
The weather in Shimotsui that day was lightly overcast, and the temperature was a little cool for May. A refreshing breeze was blowing, but I thought it was just right considering the people walking in kimono.
Congratulations ring out along the procession route
As soon as I arrived, a staff member handed me red-and-white pom-poms. They were apparently for throwing to the couple as a way of celebrating during the procession.
Amid the nervous excitement before the start, I was able to take a photo of the couple at the heart of this bridal procession, Hasegawa Tatsuya and Sakura. They moved here from outside the prefecture, met in Shimotsui, and got married in 2025.
At 1 p.m., the bridal procession finally began.
Just under 20 people dressed in kimono slowly walked along the straight road through the townscape preservation district. Many people had their cameras ready to capture this precious scene.
As spectators called out, “Congratulations!” and “Wishing you happiness!,” the red-and-white pom-poms handed out earlier danced through the air, filling the entire townscape preservation district with a happy atmosphere.
At first, the people in the procession looked composed, but gradually their expressions softened as they received congratulations from the spectators.
Behind the bride and groom came local residents wearing colorful kimono. These days, there are fewer opportunities to dress formally in kimono, so I thought it was nice that events like this provide more chances to wear them.
Looking at the end of the line, I saw staff picking up every single pom-pom that had fallen on the road. They handed the pom-poms back to spectators to be reused.
While the bridal procession was underway, folk songs were performed with live music and singing. The singer was Tsukamoto Yukari, who planned the procession.
The live folk music was pleasant to listen to and added to the excitement of the procession. I found myself imagining that folk songs might also have been heard in the streets when the townscape preservation district was thriving…
The bridal procession makes a full circuit around the area near the townscape preservation district. After leaving the district, it turned a corner, passed in front of Shimotsui Yokocho, and headed to its destination, Mukashi Shimotsui Kaisen Toiya.
It was the kind of bridal procession that made you want to follow it and offer congratulations again and again. I also went ahead and waited for it several times.
Everywhere they walked, words of congratulations and applause from local people never stopped. Everyone there was smiling, and I saw firsthand how the bridal procession brought the town to life.
Experience Shimotsui’s performing arts culture through a “circle dance”
After the bridal procession, there was time to take a group photo at the Former Shimotsui Shipping Agent.
Local people called out, “Everyone, step back a little so we can take the photo!” and “Now, look this way!” and helped things run smoothly.
After the photos, the circle dance to Shimotsui-bushi began. With dancers demonstrating the moves in front, behind, and on either side, you can easily join the circle and dance even if you don’t know the steps.
Shimotsui-bushi played during the circle dance was, of course, performed live. It was a luxurious moment.
First-time dancers and those reminiscing about the steps all came together to dance as one.
I also tried the circle dance, but the handkerchief moves were harder than I expected.
However, when I struggled, the dance instructor patiently taught me the steps. People watching nearby cheered me on with “You can do it!” and, although I wasn’t very good, I had fun dancing, making it a wonderful memory.
The laughter-filled “mochi toss” begins
After the circle dance, the “mochi toss,” which the children had surely been looking forward to, began. It was my first time experiencing one.
Children lined up at the front, while many adults had gathered behind them, and you could feel how eager everyone was to take part.
The newlyweds climbed onto a platform and enthusiastically tossed sweets and mochi into the crowd. Each time something was thrown, cheers and laughter rang out here and there.
Some of the children had even brought shopping baskets, and I couldn’t help laughing at how well prepared they were. Grandmothers and grandfathers were just as energetic, picking up sweets.
I managed to get one sweet and two pieces of mochi. The mochi toss taught me that “getting hit on the head by mochi hurts more than you’d think.”
Smiles filled the bridal procession from beginning to end. A happy atmosphere enveloped Shimotsui, and I felt as though some of that happiness had rubbed off on me.
Afterward, I asked Hasegawa Tatsuya and Sakura how they felt about the event.
Hasegawa Tatsuya
The local community held a “bridal procession” for us as newlyweds.
We hadn’t been told many details beforehand, so the day came as something of a half-surprise. We never imagined so many people would gather…
Thank you so much to everyone involved who supported us from the preparations through the day itself, and to everyone who attended. Thanks to all of you, we were able to spend a special day that will remain a lifelong memory.
From now on, the two of us will work together to make Shimotsui even more vibrant.
Hasegawa Sakura
The moment I got out of the vehicle, I was truly surprised to see so many people.
Walking along, I felt something I’d never felt before and can hardly put into words, but I was so happy to see the old road in Shimotsui filled with so many smiling faces.
I hope this event will inspire others to say they want to hold a bridal procession too, and I’ll continue sharing Shimotsui’s charms.
From the Writer
I was moved by the sight of the radiant newlyweds, of course, but what stayed with me most was how happy the local people who had gathered to watch looked, as if it were happening to them.
I felt that events like the bridal procession, where an entire town celebrates something together, are a wonderful way to make everyone feel happy.
I think Shimotsui’s traditional townscape, which has continued since the Edo period, is the perfect setting for a milestone in life.
I hope to see bridal processions continue to be held in the Shimotsui Townscape Preservation District. Who will be the stars of the next bridal procession?
Shimotsui Port Bridal Procession Information
| Name | Shimotsui Port Bridal Procession |
|---|---|
| Date | May 25, 2025 (Sunday) 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
| Location | 1-8 Shimotsui, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Shimotsui Port Bridal Procession Official Instagram |
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