Sawara no Taisai Autumn Festival 2015
Video link: https://youtu.be/zf-cqFHQre8
Sawara no Taisai Autumn Festival (佐原の大祭秋祭り) is a festival of ornate floats paraded around Sawara (Katori), Chiba Prefecture, Japan on Oct. 10, 2015. Floats (called dashi) are about 7 meters high and weigh 3 to 4 tons. They have intricate wood carvings and a large doll depicting a historical or legendary Japanese figure. Each float is from a neighborhood in Sawara. Most of the floats and dolls were made in the late 19th century or early 20th century.
Dating back 300 years, the festival is held for three days in July (10 floats) and Oct. (14 floats). This year, they did not follow a set parade route. The float pullers also dance and the main highlight is when they turn the float a few times. The festival is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Held near JR Sawara Station (JR Narita Line) and along Ono River’s traditional townscape.
Sawara is noted for its traditional townscape along the river so it’s worth visiting even without the festival.
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