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For more details, please see The Mie Times.
 January |
 YUMIHIKI
SHINJI (Shooting Arrow
Ceremony) |
at Koshika Shrine, Shima-shi.
This traditional ritual is to shoot an arrow towards
the target and predict the coming year's harvest of
fish and fruits. |
 |
| February |
| KITSUNE
NO YOMEIRI DOCHU (Fox
Marriage Parade Ceremony) |
at Miyamado Inari Shrine, Miyamado-cho,
Yokkaichi-shi.
Joyful and humorous "Fox Wedding Parade" led
by a red devil and a green devil is held on Setsubun,
the eve of the first day of New Year as marked by the
ancient luner calendar. A man and a woman born under
this year's zodiac sign are the fox bride and groom,
wearing masks and throwing soy beans and good fortune
bags to onlookers. |
 |
| March |
| HATSUUMA
MATSURI |
at Oka-dera Temple, Matsusaka-shi,
People of "unlucky ages" (men age 25, 42 and
women age 19, 33) visit these temples to pray for good
health and to ward off evil spirits. Open-air-stalls
selling many good luck charms, such as sweets and toys,
are set up in and around the temple. |
 |
| April |
| SAKURA
MATSURI (Cherry Blosom
Viewing Festival) |
at the bank of Miya River, Ise-shi
April is one of the most beautiful months in Japan.
Cherry blossoms come out in full bloom in the beginning
of April. Go out and enjoy the typical Japanese way
of admiring cherry blossoms! Spread out a mat on the
ground under the cherry blossoms, drink sake and eat
sushi and various kinds of food while viewing the cherry
blossoms. |
 |
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| May |
| Don
Doko Ichi (Fair) |
at Nikenjaya, Jinkyu Ise-shi.
Norenkai, an old stores in Ise sell their specialties
at this event just as they did in the old days when
pilgrims visited the Grand Shrine of Ise by boats called
Don Doko Bune and got off at Nikenjyaya. In old days
pilgrims in the boats drummed to the rhythm of "Don
Doko" when they entered the Seta River. On the
day you can enjoy the voyage on a recreated Don Doko
bune. |
| June |
| SAIO
MATSURI |
around Saiku Historical Museum, Meiwa-cho, Taki-gun.
The procession recreates ancient times, when princesses
were sent to Saiku to serve at the Grand Shrine of Ise.
Two hundred people dressed in court costumes from the
Heian Period parade from Kamizono Shibafu-hiroba to
the museum. Other events held at the museum include
a tea ceremony and a bazaar |
 |
| July |
| TORO
MATSURI |
at Enoura Bay, Kihoku-cho, Kitamuro-gun.
Big lanterns shaped like various figures and animals
are set afloat on the river. Lanterns on the theme of
the year are made. |
 |
| YABUNERI
(Bamboo Bundle Parade) |
at Yagumo Shrine, Tsu-shi.
This festival is held in connection with a famous Japanese
legend of Susano-no-mikoto who killed the big eight-headed
serpent. A lively parade in which big bundles of bamboo
called yabu symbolizing the big eight-headed serpent
will be carried by the youth in this town. This yabu
is floated on Ise Bay at the last stage of this festival. |
 |
| August |
| DAI
YOKKAICHI MATSURI (Yokkaichi
City Grand Festival) |
at Yokkaichi-shi.
This festival features a float based on the cultural
artifacts of Yokkaichi, including Onyudo, a huge doll
with a long neck. A Dream Parade and Samba Festival
march along the street. |
 |
| THE
GREAT KUMANO FIREWORKS FESTIVAL |
at Shichiri Mihama Beach Kumano.
Famous in Mie Prefecture are the Kumano Fireworks displays,
held for over 300 years. Over 10,000 fireworks are continuously
launched for 2 hours from the bay, sparkling colors
on the evening water. Not only people in Mie, but also
a lot of people from other prefectures visit Kumano
on this day. |
 |
| NABARI
TAKIGINOH (Torch Lit
Noh) |
at Asahi Park, Nabari-shi.
Nabari is a birthplace of Kannami (1333-84), the founder
of Noh theater. A torch lit noh is performed every year. |
 |
| September |
| ANORI
NINGYO SHIBAI (Puppet
Shows) |
at Anori Shrine, Ago-cho, Shima-shi.
Traditional Japanese puppet shows, handed down from
ancient times, are performed by the members of the Anori-ningyo.
Reservations are needed. |
 |
| October |
| TSU
MATSURI |
at Tsu-shi.
This festival's main attractions are the Tojin odori
(Korean dance), Shaguma, Takatora Daiko (Japanese drum),
and Anotsu-maru (Japanese ship float). Among them, Tojin
Odori dating back 360 years is the most interesting.
The procession of Korean envoys called "Korean
correspondence is recreated and dances will be performed
wearing Korean costumes in ancient days with humorous
masks. It is only performed in three towns, in Japan:
Tsu, Suzuka in Mie and Ushimadao in Okayama. |
 |
| November |
| SHICHIFUKU-JIN
MATSURI |
at Junen-ji Temple, Kuwana-shi.
People disguised as Shichifuku-jin (the seven gods of
good luck) parade through the town. |
 |
| UJISATO
MATSURI |
in Matsusaka-shi.
This is held to honor a feudal lord, Gamo Ujisato, the
founder of the town and constructor of Matsusaka Castle.
A warrior parade has 1000 participants, 300 dressed
in feudal costumes to recreate life 400 years ago. The
roads are lined with many stalls. |
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