Tochigi Autumn Festival

Overview

The Tochigi Autumn Festival is a parade of ornate floats held every two years in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture. The festival takes place on Kura no Machi Street, the main thoroughfare of the city center, where elaborately decorated floats from the Edo and Meiji periods are pulled through the streets. The festival brings together floats and lion heads owned by various neighborhoods of Tochigi City, a city known historically as "Kura no Machi" (Town of Warehouses).

The festival is held biennially (once every two years) on a Saturday and Sunday in November; please check the official website for the schedule of the next edition. Temporary trains from Tokyo operate on festival days, drawing many tourists from outside the region. According to the Tochigi City Tourism Association, the festival originated from a Shinto ceremony held at the Tochigi Prefectural Government Office in 1874, and by 1893, six floats participated in a celebration for the establishment of the prefecture's first chamber of commerce.

History and Origin

The origin of the Tochigi Autumn Festival dates back to 1874, when a Shinto festival was held at the Tochigi Prefectural Government Office. On that occasion, merchants from Tochigi purchased two floats: one depicting the figure of Shizuka Gozen, which had been used in the Sanno Festival, and another depicting the "Kankodori" (Rooster of Admonition) from Utsunomiya. The Shizuka Gozen float originated from the Sanno Festival procession of the Edo period, while the Kankodori float was brought from Utsunomiya.

In 1893, a celebration was held to mark the approval for the establishment of Tochigi Prefecture's first chamber of commerce. Six floats participated in this event: those from Mambancho 1-chome, 2-chome, 3-chome, Wajocho 2-chome, 3-chome, and Izumicho. Many of these floats were crafted by Gen Shugetsu III, featuring figures such as Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Emperor Jimmu, and Amaterasu Omikami.

In 1906, a festival was held at Shinmei-gu Shrine and the Shokonsha Shrine. At this time, the float from Muromachi, featuring Momotaro, joined the procession, completing the form of the modern festival. From 1937, when Tochigi City was formally established, the float festival was held approximately every five years. The event was later reorganized as the "Tochigi Autumn Festival," held biennially in autumn.

Today, the Tochigi Autumn Festival is held every two years in November, with the backdrop of the city's historic warehouse-lined streets. Most floats owned by the neighborhoods were built between the Edo and Meiji periods, including the Shizuka Gozen float from 1848 and lion heads from around 1876. Some floats have deteriorated and require preservation efforts.

Highlights

Edo-style Doll Floats The main attraction of the Tochigi Autumn Festival is the parade of Edo-style doll floats. These floats, known as "hokodai-gata," stand approximately six meters tall and weigh up to four tons. Each neighborhood's float features dolls representing figures like Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Emperor Jimmu, Shizuka Gozen, and Momotaro, with intricate carvings and lacquerwork that stand out against the warehouse townscape.

Special Significance of the Kankodori Float The float from Izumicho, featuring the Rooster of Admonition, has a unique form different from other floats. This float was brought from Utsunomiya and features a rooster figure on a platform rather than the typical hokodai style. The Rooster of Admonition symbolizes good governance, and its historical value makes it a focal point during the festival.

Night Parade with Illuminated Floats On the second day, a night parade is held from 17:30 to 20:00, with the floats illuminated by lanterns. The floats and carvings emerge in a dreamlike atmosphere, different from the daytime view. Lanterns line the streets, allowing visitors to enjoy the combination of floats and the night-time warehouse townscape.

Powerful Lion Head Performances The lion heads from Wajocho 1-chome, both male and female, were crafted around 1876. Unlike the floats, the lion heads are carried by bearers and move with powerful gestures that captivate the audience. The lion heads are believed to ward off evil and bring good luck, and performers often mimic biting the heads of spectators for blessings.

Harmony with the Warehouse Townscape Tochigi City is known as "Kura no Machi" (Town of Warehouses), with many historic storehouses preserved in the area. The festival route runs through Kura no Machi Street, an area designated for historical preservation, and the sight of floats moving through the warehouse-lined streets evokes the atmosphere of the Edo period. Many visitors come to photograph the floats against this historic backdrop.

Spectacular Gathering of All Floats At 13:15 and 17:15 on both days, all floats gather on the main street. This moment, when more than ten floats line up together, is one of the festival's highlights. Seeing the floats from different neighborhoods assembled in one place allows visitors to appreciate the scale and luxury of the event.

Festival Information and Access

• Date: Saturday and Sunday in November, held biennially (once every two years). Please check the official website for the next edition.
• Hours: On both days, the main street is closed to traffic from 9:00 to 20:30. Morning session: 9:00–12:00; afternoon session: 13:30–16:30; night session: 17:30–20:00.
• Venue: Kura no Machi Street (from the Mambancho Police Box intersection to the Bunka Kaikan entrance intersection). The parade also passes through Ginza Street, along the Uzumagawa River, and near Shin-Tochigi Station.
• Access: About a 10-minute walk from Tochigi Station on the JR Ryomo Line and Tobu Nikko Line, or about a 15-minute walk from Shin-Tochigi Station on the Tobu Utsunomiya Line. Temporary trains from Tokyo may operate on festival days.
• Traffic Restrictions: The main street is fully closed from 9:00 to 20:30 on both days. Additional restrictions apply near Shin-Tochigi Station (9:30–11:30), along the Uzumagawa River (9:30–11:00), and near Tochigi Station on the second day (9:30–11:30).
• Parking: Several municipal and paid parking lots are available in the city center, but public transportation is recommended due to congestion.
• Latest Information: Schedules and traffic restrictions may change. Check the official website (Tochigi Autumn Festival Special Site) for the most current information.

Surrounding Area

Tochigi City is known as "Kura no Machi," with numerous historic storehouses from the Edo and Meiji periods preserved in the city center. The area around Kura no Machi Street, the main festival venue, features traditional earthen storehouses and merchant houses, designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government. Visitors can tour these historic structures before or after the festival.

Along the Uzumagawa River, several sightseeing spots represent the warehouse town. The "Uzumagawa River Boat Ride" offers tours of the storehouses from the water and may operate during the festival period. Tochigi City traditionally prospered through water transportation, reflecting its history as a river port.

Tochigi City is home to the Tochigi Float Museum, which permanently exhibits floats used in the festival. The museum displays actual Edo-style doll floats, scale models, and historical materials. Even in non-festival years, visitors can learn about the float culture. Tochigi City also has cultural facilities such as the "Meiji no Kura" and the Tochigi City Museum of Art, making it a worthwhile destination beyond the festival.

Related Information

• Tochigi Autumn Festival Special Site: https://www.tochigi-kankou.or.jp/akimatsuri/
• Tochigi City Tourism Association: https://www.tochigi-kankou.or.jp/
• Tochigi City Official Website: https://www.city.tochigi.lg.jp/
• Tochigi Float Museum: Located in Mambancho, this museum permanently exhibits Edo-style doll floats.
• Float Preservation Activities: Neighborhood residents maintain and manage their floats, with restoration efforts ongoing for some deteriorating floats. Some floats underwent repairs in the 2010s.
• Related Events: Tochigi City also hosts the "Kura no Machi Cherry Blossom Festival" in spring and the "Uzumagawa River Lantern Floating" in summer.
• Temporary Train Information: JR East and Tobu Railway may operate temporary trains from Tokyo on festival days. Check the official website for availability.

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