The Nagoya Festival, which takes place annually in mid-October, is one of the most spectacular autumn festivals in Nagoya. The entire city is filled with a festive atmosphere, celebrating its past, present, and future.
If you love Japanese festivals and want to experience a vibrant energy and a mix of entertainment, culture, and history, this event is a must-see.
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How Did the Nagoya Festival Come to Be?
The Nagoya Festival began in 1955 under the name “Nagoya Trade and Industry Festival”. It was created by the government of Aichi Prefecture, the City of Nagoya, and the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce with the aim of promoting the city’s economy and commerce.
However, the citizens of Nagoya also wanted a festival that could entertain and educate citizens about Nagoya’s culture. And so began the Nagoya Festival.
Highlights of the Nagoya Festival Parade
Today, the Nagoya Festival is a colorful parade with more than 700 participants spanning approximately 2 kilometers in length. It begins at Nagoya Station, proceeds towards Nagoya City Hall, then continues down to Sakae, culminating at its destination in Yabacho.
Here are some of the highlights of this parade.
Dashi Festival Floats
Designated Cultural Property of Nagoya, Dashi Floats are the first act of the festival. Nine floats adorned with their finest attire, make their appearance in the vicinity of Nagoya City Hall.
Each of these floats has Karakuri Ningyo, which are traditional Japanese mechanical puppets, mounted on the top. They perform reenactments of myths and legends, often depicting a single scene from a larger play.
Don’t worry if you’re not entirely sure of the storyline. It’s still enjoyable to witness the incredible craftsmanship and ingenuity of the puppet makers at work. This craft boasts a history of around 1400 years.
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Kagura Zoroe
The Kagura Zoroe are portable altars found exclusively in the Nagoya region. They hold the designation of Cultural Assets. These smaller altars, adorned with gold leaf, make their appearance alongside the Dashi Floats.
Other Parades
After the more traditional parades showcasing the Festival Floats and Kagura Zoroe, it’s time for a wide variety of different parades.
Traditional and modern dance groups showcase their skills, brass bands play familiar tunes, cosplayers show off their costumes, and cheerleaders jump, shout, and cheer.
Representatives from Nagoya’s sister cities (Los Angeles, Mexico City, Nanjing, Sydney, Turin, and Reims) are in attendance and participate in the parade.
Nana-chan, the gigantic mannequin usually standing outside the Meitetsu Department Store at Nagoya Station, is paraded through the whole city.
Each year there are different sports and cultural groups, showing off their varied skills. It will never be boring to attend the Nagoya Festival!
The Three Great Feudal Lords
Another highlight of the Nagoya Festival is the appearance of Three Great Feudal Lords, the unifiers of Japan, and several other important historical figures with a significant connection to Nagoya and the region: Oda Nobunaga, the Lord of Owari (1534-1582); Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Lord of Owari Nakamura, (1537-1598); and Tokugawa Ieyasu, Lord of Okazaki, (1542-1616).
Along with the appearance of each feudal lord, important historical battles from the Sengoku Period known as the Warring States Period are reproduced.
The feudal lords would be nothing without their wives, and so Nohime (Nobunaga’s wife), Nene (Hideyoshi’s wife), and Senhime (Ieyasu’s wife), follow their husbands, accompanied by their entourage of servants.
Don’t Miss the Other Events During the Nagoya Festival!
During the same weekend, you can also watch several traditional martial arts performances such as Kyudo (Japanese archery) and Kendo.
The Kobudo Tournament sees the participation from various martial arts schools of Aichi and Gifu. Kobudo is a collective term for traditional Japanese techniques using armor, blades, firearms, combat and horse-back riding.
At Oasis 21, there are crafts for sale from all over Aichi, including Arimatsu tie-dyed fabrics, items crafted from wood, and Washi, Japanese paper.
Hisaya Odori Park, which runs along the center of the city, will host idol groups, live music performances, comedy shows, and much more.
After parading through the city, the three great feudal lords make an appearance in the Osu district with their wives. This is a great opportunity to see the beautiful costumes up close.
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Visit Nagoya’s Museums and Attractions for Free
Many of the popular attractions and museums in Nagoya will offer free admission during this weekend. This includes places like Nagoya Castle, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Tokugawa-en Garden, Shirotori Garden, and more.
Please be aware that these places may be more crowded than usual due to the free entry.
When will the Nagoya Festival Be Held in 2024?
2024 marks the 70th annual Nagoya Festival, will be held again this year on October 19th and 20th.
This year’s festival will feature the full collection of activities, events, and city-designated cultural property floats and the Children’s Mikoshi Parade.
For the latest information please visit the official website.
Nagoya Festival (名古屋まつり)
Date: 19th and 20th of October 2024
Location: Various locations in central Nagoya
💻 Website (Japanese Only)
For more info about other fall events, check this post: Autumn Leaves and Autumn Festivals in Nagoya and Aichi
This post was last updated in September 2024.
Although we strive to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information possible, please note that changes may occur. We recommend you confirm relevant information such as cancelations or changes, opening hours, or possible restrictions using a direct source. Please keep in mind that these sources might be in Japanese only.
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