Hida City, Gifu Prefecture (Mayor: Junya Tsutake), will host the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Furukawa Festival' for two days on April 19th and 20th, 2025. This main festival, woven from the dynamic 'Okoshi-daiko' (rousing drums) and the splendid 'Yatai Gyoretsu' (float procession), transcends the realm of tourism and continues to be passed down as a 'treasure of daily life' inextricably linked to the routines of local residents.

A traditional event that colors the spring of Hida, where the passion and breath of life of its people blend into the historic townscape, is about to begin.

Overview of the 'Furukawa Festival'

Date: April 19th (Sunday) & 20th (Monday), 2026 (Fixed dates: April 19th & 20th annually)

Venue: Furukawa-cho urban area, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture

Contents: April 19th (Sunday) [Shigaku-sai (Preliminary Festival)] Shrine rituals, portable shrine procession, float procession, Okoshi-daiko

April 20th (Monday) [Honraku-sai (Main Festival)] Portable shrine procession, float procession, night festival

Details: Please refer to the Hida City Official Tourism Site Hida no Tabi.

A Festival of 'Stillness' and 'Dynamism' - Rare in Japan

The Furukawa Festival is a traditional festival composed of 'still' events such as solemn 'Shinto rituals' at Ketawakamiya Shrine, the 'portable shrine procession' like a historical picture scroll, and the splendid 'float procession,' alongside the 'dynamic' event of the powerful 'Okoshi-daiko' where men in loincloths jostle. The 'Okoshi-daiko and Yatai Gyoji' (float events) are registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

The Powerful 'Okoshi-daiko'

The 'Okoshi-daiko' is a 'dynamic' event.

Around 8:30 PM on April 19th, the 'Okoshi-daiko' begins with a grand chorus of the celebratory song 'Wakamatsu-sama' and a tumultuous drumming performance called 'Uchidashi' at the festival plaza. Led by a lively procession of young and old, men, women, and children carrying tall lanterns (Takabari Chochin) and round lanterns (Maruko Chochin), the 'Okoshi-daiko' procession parades through the city streets until past midnight on the 20th. The fierce clashes with small drums called 'Tsuke-daiko' that rush in from every street corner, and its dynamic nature, are known as one of the most powerful festival events among many in Japan. Also, a highlight is the acrobatic performance 'Tonbo,' where performers stand vertically on a 3.5-meter pole to which the Tsuke-daiko is tied.

Hida's Night Embraced by Lantern Light: 'Night Festival'

In contrast to the Okoshi-daiko, the floats of the Furukawa Festival are a 'still' event. On the morning of the 19th, all nine splendid floats are pulled out from their respective float warehouses and parade through their neighborhoods. The next day, the 20th, they are lined up at the festival plaza from early morning. Lion dances, karakuri (mechanical doll) performances, and children's kabuki are also dedicated, presenting a vibrant scene as if unraveling a historical picture scroll. The 'Night Festival' then marks the finale of the festival. As evening falls, the floats are solemnly paraded through the town with lanterns lit, and their magnificent appearance illuminated in the twilight evokes a profound, ethereal beauty different from daytime, quietly bringing the two-day festival to a close while leaving a lingering impression.

A Festival Scene Alive in Daily Life

Having walked alongside the townscape of Hida Furukawa for over 300 years, the 'Furukawa Festival' remains a source of pride for local residents and an important traditional event that is an extension of their daily lives. This festival, passed down from parent to child, and from child to grandchild, is not merely a relic of the past to be preserved, but a 'living culture' itself, protected by the passion of those living in the present.

In this space, where the earth-shaking roar of the 'Okoshi-daiko' cuts through the silence and the fervent spirit of the townspeople resonates, there is a dense breath of life that can only be experienced here. Please come and experience the vibrant energy of Hida Furukawa, where history and modernity intersect, with all five senses. We sincerely look forward to your visit.

Furukawa Festival Appears in the Finale of Hida City's PR Video!

The 'Furukawa Festival' crowns the serene townscape and daily scenes of Hida Furukawa. This festival, carefully passed down for 400 years through generations, is truly a 'treasure of daily life' deeply rooted in the hearts of local residents even today.

The video meticulously depicts not only the dynamic sound of the drums and the enchanting light of the lanterns but also the warm gazes of the people watching them. Please experience the atmosphere of these two days, which locals are most passionate about throughout the year, through the video first.

Hida City PR Video 'In this town where life breathes' [04:46] onwards, the emotionally rich scenes of the festival begin.

Contact Information

Hida City Hall, Town Planning and Tourism Division

Phone: 0577-73-7463

*8:30 AM - 5:15 PM (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and New Year holidays)

Hida City, Gifu Prefecture

Hida City is a small city with a population of approximately 21,500 people, surrounded by mountains such as the Northern Alps, and blessed with rich nature, with forests covering about 94% of its total area. In addition to abundant natural resources, it is a treasure trove of diverse and unique regional resources, including the Furukawa Festival and Okoshi-daiko, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, space physics research facilities such as 'Super-Kamiokande' which contributed to the Nobel Prize in Physics, and rural townscapes that served as models for the hit anime film 'Your Name.'

Hida City Official Website https://www.city.hida.gifu.jp/

Hida City Official Tourism Site https://www.hida-kankou.jp/

PRTIMES Hida City Page https://prtimes.jp/main/html/searchrlp/company_id/120394

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News