Fukura Festival

Fukura Festival

This festival is held by the Sarutahiko Shrine and prays for the safe ocean journey of ships sailing from Osaka to Hokkaido.
Sea Togyo, wearing a costume, and hand dancing are powerful cultural reminders of the days when ships sailing from Osaka to Hokkaido were popular.
The festival consists of "Yoi Matsuri," "Hon Matsuri," and "Ura Matsuri." Yoi Matsuri holds “The Ritual of Oracle Lots,” where the ship for Sea Togyo is selected for the Hon Matsuri.
According to the Annual Grand Festival Divine Ship Registry, ships from 23 countries have been registered as divine ships.
At the Ura Matsuri, people worship the Sarutahiko Shrine, matching Geisha’s shamisen, drums, and other musical accompaniments. The current costume parade comes from the past history where hand dancing performance was held on the shrine grounds.