Katsuyama Sagichō

Overview

Katsuyama Sagicho is a fire festival held annually on the final Saturday and Sunday of February throughout the town districts of Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture. This festival boasts a history of over 300 years, dating back to the time when the Ogasawara clan entered the Katsuyama domain, and is known as a festival that brings spring to the Okuetsu region fuku-e.com. It attracts attention nationwide as a rare "strange festival," and the enthusiasm of participants and spectators colors the winter streets.

The main attractions of the festival are the twelve "yagura" (towers) built in each neighborhood and the "Sagicho-bayashi" music performed atop them. The towers are made entirely of cypress, with the largest measuring approximately four meters wide and six meters high, featuring a second-floor stage built in the style of a shrine pavilion City of Katsuyama Sagicho Leaflet 2026 Final. The sight of "ukite" performers dressed in red long underwear dancing with unique comical gestures to the lively rhythm of shamisen, flute, and gong music is a characteristic found only in Katsuyama's Sagicho Fukui Tourism Website.

The Sagicho fire festival, in its original form, has been a New Year's event held on January 15th since the Heian period Katsuyama Sagicho Leaflet. While similar festivals are held throughout Japan, the unique development of Katsuyama's version is deeply connected to the change of feudal lords and the autonomy of the townspeople. The first written record of Sagicho in Katsuyama appears in a document from 1748 Katsuyama Sagicho History.

However, this document itself refers to an earlier event from 1746, suggesting the festival was already being held before that time Katsuyama Sagicho History. According to one theory, it may have originated in the early 17th century when the three main towns of Katsuyama were formed, or during the period when Lord Sadaomi Ogasawara entered the domain in 1691 and the castle town was developed. The exact origins remain unclear due to a lack of definitive historical records.

During the Edo period, Sagicho, along with "Kennyo-ko" and "Gozen Sumo," was considered one of the three major annual events of Katsuyama Town, drawing spectators not only from within the domain but also from neighboring areas Katsuyama Sagicho History. While "Gozen Sumo" was held at Hachiman Shrine or Shinmei Shrine and was regularly watched by the feudal lords, Sagicho developed as a festival led by the townspeople of the lower town. This contrast highlights the unique character of the Sagicho festival.

Having been continuously held under the autonomy of the townspeople, the festival has historically served to strengthen the bonds within each community Katsuyama Sagicho History. Today, it is designated as a Fukui Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property, and its traditions are carefully preserved. For the convenience of tourists and organizers, the festival date was changed from the traditional lunar calendar date of January 14th to the final Saturday and Sunday of February Fukui Dot Com.

Highlights

First Drum (Ichiban Taiko) The festival officially begins with the "First Drum" performance at the tower in the Kamigo district. This drum serves as the signal for the Sagicho-bayashi music to start simultaneously on all twelve towers throughout the city. This ceremony, held at 1:00 PM, is a crucial moment that instantly raises the tension and excitement of the entire festival Katsuyama Navi.

Floating Drum (Uki Daiko / Sagicho-bayashi) On the second-floor stages of the towers, performers dressed in red long underwear dance to the lively music of shamisen, flute, and gong. These unique comical gestures are a feature exclusive to Katsuyama's Sagicho and are the reason why it is called a "kisai" or strange festival Katsuyama Sagicho Leaflet. The sight of adults and children "floating" and dancing together brings smiles and a sense of familiarity to onlookers, making it the greatest charm of the festival.

Craftworks and Lantern Competition Each neighborhood competitively creates "craftworks" often based on the zodiac animal of the year, using everyday items to create instant, improvised art unique to Katsuyama Sagicho Leaflet. Additionally, "tsuji andon" (street lanterns) featuring satirical haiku poems and accompanying illustrations line the streets around the towers, causing passersby to stop and gaze. These works add vibrancy and intellectual playfulness to the festival atmosphere.

Children's Hayashi Competition On the morning of the second day, a "Children's Hayashi Competition" is held, showcasing the talents of the next generation. This competition aims to pass on the tradition, with children performing drums and music with serious expressions. Their earnest performances inspire hope for the festival's future and leave the audience deeply impressed.

Sacred Fire Procession and Dondoyaki On Sunday evening, sacred fire lit at Shinmei Shrine is carried by torches from each district to the Dondoyaki site at Benten Riverbed. At 8:00 PM, signaled by smoke, the fires are lit simultaneously, and the sacred objects piled with New Year's decorations are engulfed in flames Fukui Dot Com. The flames, beautifully reflecting off the snow in the winter night sky, form the climax of the festival, praying for a bountiful harvest and fire prevention, marking the end of all events.

Stamp Rally To enhance visitor enjoyment, a stamp rally is organized. Participants visit towers in various districts to collect stamps, which can be exchanged for Sagicho goods. With an entry fee of 200 yen per ticket, this activity allows tourists to fully immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere while walking through the city Katsuyama Navi.

Event Information & Access

• Dates: Scheduled for Saturday, February 21st and Sunday, February 22nd, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest schedule.
• Venue: Throughout Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture. Towers are set up in 12 districts, including Kamifuchi, Nagafuchi, Shimo-Fukuroda, and others.
• Schedule: Day 1 (Saturday) features the First Drum at 1:00 PM, followed by performances at all towers. Day 2 (Sunday) features the Dondoyaki fire at 8:00 PM at Benten Riverbed Park.
• Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from the Katsuyama IC on the Chubu Jukan Expressway. About a 10-minute walk from Katsuyama Station on the Echizen Railway Katsuyama-Eiheiji Line.
• Parking: Free temporary parking is available. Main lots include Katsuyama City Hall, the Education Center, Sukoyaka, Benten Green Area (Saturday only), and Okuetsu Special Needs School (Sunday only).
• Inquiries: Katsuyama City, Mirai-Sozoka (Future Creation Division), which serves as the executive committee office. Contact for the latest status on cancellations or changes.
• Shuttle Bus: A free shuttle bus service operates between Katsuyama Station and the festival venues. Operating hours are 12:24 PM to 5:53 PM on the 21st and 10:24 AM to 5:53 PM on the 22nd.

Surrounding Area

Located about a 10-minute drive from the Katsuyama Sagicho festival site is the world-renowned Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. With the largest number of dinosaur fossil discoveries in Japan, the museum features impressive full-scale dinosaur skeleton exhibits. After enjoying the traditional winter culture of Sagicho, visitors can experience Earth’s history, making it a recommended spot for families visiting the area.

Katsuyama City is also known as the gateway to Eiheiji Temple, the head temple of the Soto Zen sect. Founded by Zen Master Dogen in the Kamakura period, this training monastery offers a solemn architecture and serene atmosphere that cleanses the visitor's spirit. Visiting this temple, with its deep tranquility contrasting the lively Sagicho festival, provides a wonderful contrast for travelers.

Furthermore, the Katsuyama Sagicho festival is said to "bring spring to the Okuetsu region," and the snow begins to melt after the festival. The Benten cherry blossoms along the Kuzuryu River are a famous spring sight, and their memory stays with visitors long after the festival. The area also features hot spring facilities, allowing visitors to warm their cold winter bodies and savor the afterglow of the festival.

Related Information

• Cultural Property Designation: "Katsuyama Sagicho" is designated as a Fukui Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
• Preservation Society: The "Katsuyama Sagicho-bayashi Preservation Society" exists and aims to inherit, promote, and revitalize the tradition of Sagicho-bayashi. Their diverse performances of "uki-daiko" (floating drum) are a highlight.
• New Year's Decorations: Visitors offering New Year's decorations for the festival must park in designated lots, then walk to the main tent in front of the Katsuyama Post Office to place them on the sacred object (goshintai). Direct drop-offs at the Benten site are prohibited.
• Sacred Object: The sacred object placed on roads in each district is made of pine and bamboo and bears a talisman of the Toshitokudaijin deity. Strips of colored paper, using 3-4 colors chosen by each district, are hung over the roads to add to the festive atmosphere.
• Historical Context: During the Edo period, Sagicho was one of the three major annual events of Katsuyama Town, alongside "Kennyo-ko" and "Gozen Sumo." Today, various events are held in parallel with the Sagicho towers.
• Similar Festivals: The Sagicho fire festival, known as Dondoyaki in other regions, is a traditional New Year's festival held on January 15th since the Heian period and can be seen nationwide. However, the Katsuyama style of building towers and playing music is extremely rare and stands out for its distinctive characteristics.

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