Culture and History

Fukushima Waraji Festival

The festival is usually held from the first Friday to Sunday in August, and is one of Fukushima City's representative festivals. The largest straw rope in Japan, 12 meters long and 1.4 meters wide, is led by dancers, live music played by drums and flutes, and the sound of ”Wasshoi, Wasshoi! Wasshoi! and live music by dancers, taiko drums and flutes, and chants of ”Wasshoi!

Date
Every year from the first Friday to Sunday in August
Meeting Location
The section of National Road No. 13 (Nobuo Dori) from the intersection in front of Ax to the intersection in front of the Fukushin main store
  • Japan's largest straw rope with a length of 12 meters

  • A powerful live performance by taiko drums and flutes!

  • Wasshoi” is a Japanese word for ”wasshoi! Waraji Odori” dance with the joyful call of ”Wasshoi!

Japan's largest straw rope with a length of 12 meters

The largest waraji in Japan, measuring 12 meters long and 1.4 meters wide, will be used for the Waraji Festival. The waraji is dedicated at Haguro Shrine on Mt. Nobu every February during the ”Akatsukimairi” festival to pray for good health. The highlight of the Waraji Festival is the performance by the sumo wrestlers who carry the biggest waraji in Japan and throw them up in the air.

A powerful live performance by taiko drums and flutes!

The ”Waraji Ondo” was renewed in 2019. The ”Waraji Ondo” composed by Yuji Koseki was re-arranged based on the rhythm of the ”Fukushima Bon Odori Uta” which has been passed down in Fukushima since ancient times, and new music including ”Waraji Daiko Midareuchi” was added to create a dynamic festival music with live music never before performed.

Wasshoi” is a Japanese word for ”wasshoi! Waraji Odori” dance with the joyful call of ”Wasshoi!

Choreographed by choreographer and dancer Chieko Ito, Waraji Odori is characterized by the lower body movement that evokes the image of healthy legs while holding a ring called ”wanawa” in both hands. The choreography is simple enough for anyone to join in, so let's dance Waraji Odori together!

   

Tour Details

Date
Every year from the first Friday to Sunday in August
Location
The section of National Road No. 13 (Nobuo Dori) from the intersection in front of Ax to the intersection in front of the Fukushin main store
Organizer
Fukushima Festival Steering Committee / Fukushima Waraji Festival Executive Committee

Tour Reservations

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After receiving your inquiry, we will confirm that we can accommodate your group and tour itinerary, and send you another reservation confirmation email. Please note that each tour is arranged manually and it may take some time for us to reply.

[Cancellation Policy] Cancellation fees are as follows: 2 days prior to the tour: 20%; the day before: 30%; on the day of the tour: 100%; no-show: 100% *If you do not arrive at the meeting place 30 minutes after the start of the tour, the tour will be automatically cancelled.

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