Handa City’s impressive collection of 31 festival floats, passed down through generations, captivate with their intricate carvings and luxurious curtains. The Handa Festival, held every five years in October, brings these floats together, featuring mechanical dolls and enchanting lantern-lit evenings.
Welcome to my blog! Regrettably, I haven’t had the chance to attend the festivals in Handa that I’ll be introducing today. However, I have a great interest in the traditional float festivals commonly found in the Chubu region, and I’ve gathered information about them to share with you.
Tourist Attractions and Activities
Handa City, located in Aichi Prefecture, is renowned for its impressive collection of 31 festival floats that have been passed down through generations. These floats come in various sizes, with some towering over 8 meters tall, equivalent to a three-story building and more than four to five times the height of an average person. Adorned with intricate carvings and luxurious curtains, these floats captivate all who behold them.
In each of Handa City’s ten districts, a festival takes place from mid-March until May 3rd and 4th, during which the local floats are paraded through the streets. Once every five years, a grand event known as the “Handa Festival” brings all the floats together. The upcoming Handa Festival is scheduled to be held from October 28th to 29th in 2023.
In addition to the procession, several districts offer captivating performances featuring mechanical dolls and enchanting fireworks displays, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festivities.
Diverse Festivals Across Regions
The Kamezaki Shiohi Festival
The Kamezaki Shiohi Festival, held in the Kamezaki district, is a remarkable event spanning two days from May 3rd to 4th.
It showcases five floats that hold the prestigious designation of Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan and are recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
These floats are gracefully pulled down to the beach, where their decorations depict the gods and the birth of Japan, drawing inspiration from the ancient “Kojiki,” Japan’s oldest official chronicle. Adorned with intricate embroidery and elaborate curtains, the floats captivate onlookers with their stunning beauty. The festival exudes a powerful atmosphere as participants come together to manually maneuver the floats while lively music fills the air, courtesy of flutes and drums. Be sure not to miss the captivating performances of mechanical dolls that occur on both days.
The highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the event where the five floats are pulled down towards the seaside on the second day. Accompanied by the spirited shouts of the festival participants, witnessing these precious festival floats making their way into the sea is truly awe-inspiring.
In other regions, festivals are also held during the spring season on various weekends, allowing visitors to choose a suitable date to attend. Here is the information on each festival:
During the weekends in mid to late March each year:
The Otsukawa district showcases a parade of three festival floats.
On the second Sunday of April and the preceding day:
The Yanabe Shinden district, Yanabe district, and Kami-handa district each present a parade of two festival floats.
In the Yanabe district, the festival floats are adorned with lanterns on Saturday evening. Additionally, in the Kami-handa district, you can also experience the enchanting sight of two boats known as “chintoro-bune” floating in the Miya-ike pond within the grounds of Sumiyoshi Shrine.
These boats are adorned with stunning lanterns that cast a radiant glow, illuminating the night and creating a truly mesmerizing and magical atmosphere.
On the third Sunday of April and the preceding day:
The Shimo-handa district, Narawa district, Itayama district, and Kyowa district each showcase a parade of four festival floats.
In the Nishi-narawa district, two festival floats are also paraded.
In the Shimo-handa district, captivating performances of mechanical dolls take place on both days. Moreover, on Saturday evening, approximately 200 lanterns are illuminated for each of the four festival floats in the Shimo-handa district, giving the impression that the floats have come to life in the darkness.
In the Nishi-narawa district, mechanical doll performances are also held on Sunday.
Festival Held Every Five Years
Every five years, in the month of October, the “Handa Dashi Matsuri” takes place, marking a grand celebration where all 31 festival floats I mentioned earlier come together.
Out of these 31 floats, 20 of them showcase mechanical dolls, displaying a captivating array of movements that receive high praise.
The allure of this festival extends beyond the daytime hours, as the “Yoi Matsuri” in the evening and nighttime is highly suggested. From dusk till night, the festival continues with lanterns adorning the floats, casting a beautiful glow that illuminates the streets of Handa.
One notable sight is the bridge over Handa Canal, where a stunning boat decorated with 365 lanterns representing each day of the year can be admired.
I suggest participating in this two-day festival that only occurs once every five years, allowing you to immerse yourself in the richness of Japanese culture.
Beyond the Festival: Other Ways to Enjoy
Moreover, the charm of Handa City extends beyond its festivals.
This region has thrived in the production of sake and vinegar for centuries, tracing its roots back to the Edo period several hundred years ago.
Alongside immersive museums where you can enjoy and learn about the history of vinegar-making and culinary culture (reservation required), there are museums that deepen your knowledge and understanding of the unique Japanese culture surrounding “sake.” Strolling along the narrow streets adorned with old wooden buildings, you can still feel the ambiance of ancient times.
Furthermore, a short distance away, you’ll discover red brick buildings constructed in the 1800s, where you can savor local beer and indulge in Wagyu beef raised in the region.
Culture, History, and Traditions
Handa City, situated on the eastern coast of a peninsula in the southwestern part of Aichi Prefecture, has a rich history of human habitation dating back to ancient times, evident through the presence of several archaeological sites.
During the prosperous Edo period, renowned for its samurai culture, Handa City thrived as a bustling hub for maritime transportation. The echoes of that era can still be observed along the city’s canals.
Additionally, following the decline of the samurai era and the advent of the Meiji period, the production of soy sauce and miso flourished in Handa City. The region’s abundance of high-quality water and rice further contributed to the creation of sake and vinegar, with Handa City now boasting the largest vinegar industry in the country.
The tradition of constructing festival floats in Handa City dates back to the 1800s during the Edo period. It was a time when various forms of craftsmanship, including dyeing, lacquerware, metalwork, architectural sculpture, and painting, thrived in Japan, with their finest expressions lavishly incorporated into these magnificent festival floats.
These floats epitomize the artistic sensibilities of the townspeople during the 19th century and can be regarded as the epitome of urban art from the Edo period.
Dining Guide
Handa City boasts a variety of shops that specialize in traditional Japanese confectioneries, such as TUNEKAWA-YA, MARUHATSU, and WAKAMATSU-KEN. These confections are renowned for their exquisite presentation, offering a delightful array of shapes and colors to tantalize your senses.
Furthermore, there is a unique confectionery called “Nama Senbei,” which possesses its own distinct charm. These half-baked treats have a chewy texture reminiscent of mochi, coupled with a delicate sweetness derived from black sugar and honey that lingers on the palate. You can indulge in these delightful delicacies at TANAKA-YA.
During the Meiji era, Handa City was home to a brewery dedicated to producing authentic German beer. This brewing tradition has been revived, allowing visitors to savor the taste of Handa-born beer at the Beer Hall.
Accommodation
Handa City offers several business hotels, and you can conveniently make online reservations. However, it can get quite crowded during festival seasons, so I suggest booking well in advance to secure your accommodation.
If you’re unable to find lodging in Handa City, there’s no need to worry. Along the train route from Chubu Centrair International Airport or Nagoya Station, you’ll find numerous lodging facilities available.
Transportation
There are multiple transportation options available to reach Handa City in Aichi Prefecture.
By plane
If you’re traveling from a distant location and prefer air travel, it is recommended to use Chubu Centrair International Airport. From the airport, you can reach Handa City by either train or car. By car, it takes approximately 20 kilometers and about 30 minutes to arrive. Taking a taxi would cost around 6,000 yen, so if you’re traveling alone or with up to three people, using the train would be a more cost-effective option.
From Meitetsu Chubu Centrair Airport Station, you can transfer at Otagawa Station and then disembark at Chita-Handa Station. Taking an express train will take about one hour and cost approximately 1,200 yen. Please note that if you choose the express train on Meitetsu, you will need to purchase a separate express ticket in addition to the regular fare ticket.
By train
If you’re traveling from Tokyo, Osaka, or other areas, it is recommended to use the Sanyo Shinkansen or Tokaido Shinkansen to reach Nagoya Station.
From Nagoya Station, you have the option to use either JR Tokai or Nagoya Railway for your train journey. Opting for Nagoya Railway, an express train will take about 50 minutes and cost approximately 1,100 yen. JR offers a slightly cheaper transportation option.
Budget and Transportation Tips
During the festivals, especially during the two-day Handa Festival that takes place once every five years, the number of tourists visiting Handa City significantly increases.
Consequently, JR and Nagoya Railways can become extremely crowded, resulting in longer travel times. In addition, there may be entrance restrictions at station platforms, causing delays in boarding trains. It can be quite challenging to handle large luggage on the train, and waiting times for taxis can be lengthy.
If you manage to secure accommodation in Handa City, it is advisable to utilize the less crowded trains before or after the festival days for your travel. Alternatively, if you are staying outside of Handa City, it is recommended to store your large luggage at your accommodation and make a day trip to Handa.
Regardless of your circumstances, it is highly recommended to plan your trip with ample time to spare.
Weather Guide
The temperatures in Handa are quite similar to those in Tokyo during both April and October.
During the months of April and May, you can expect a comfortable climate with average minimum temperatures ranging from around 11 to 16 degrees Celsius and average maximum temperatures ranging from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. It’s an ideal time to enjoy pleasant weather. In October, as autumn sets in, the average minimum temperature hovers around 15 degrees Celsius, while the average maximum temperature reaches about 22 degrees Celsius. It offers a delightful experience of the season.
When the sun is out during the day, you may occasionally find yourself getting a bit sweaty, so I suggest opting for short-sleeved or lightweight long-sleeved clothing. However, in the mornings and evenings, there might be a slight chill in the air, so it’s a good idea to have a thin jacket or cardigan handy for added comfort.
