Tachineputa Festival

Location: Goshogawara City, Downtown Area

Float Float Float Float

Description:

One of the most spectacular summer festivals in the region, Goshogawara Tachineputa is famous for its gigantic floats. Measuring 70 feet tall and weighing more than seventeen tons, the floats dwarf most of the surrounding buildings as they parade through the city streets. In addition to revelers yelling "yatte-mare, yatte-mare!", the parade procession is made up of taiko drum performances on gigantic drums, traditional hand dances, and even the occasional Japanese jester.

This amazing festival and its rich history dating back to the early 1900s were almost lost due to devastating fires that ravaged the city. The festival had all but disappeared when photographs and plans of the original floats were rediscovered in 1993. A small but dedicated group of citizens were determined to revive the festival to its original glory, and in 1998, after nearly 80 years of absence, Tachineputa floats once again paraded through the city streets.

Other Tips

If you can't make it to Goshogawara during the festival, be sure to check out the Tachineputa Hall to see floats from previous years and learn more about the festival.

Name Tachineputa Festival
Location Goshogawara City, Downtown Area
Dates 8/4 to 8/8, 2007
Getting There Proceed away from Goshogawara Station on Route 101. The festival parade route starts at the second light from the station.
Website/Blog www.tachineputa.jp/festival/ (Japanese Only)