Morioka Autumn Festival, where gorgeous floats parade through the city

September is when the signs of autumn become more intense. Morioka City's autumn tradition is the Morioka Autumn Festival Dashi, which is held from September 14th to 16th every year. This event boasts a history of over 300 years and is designated as an intangible folk cultural property by Morioka City. The origin of the festival is said to have started on September 14, 1709, in celebration of the completion of 23 towns in the Morioka castle town of the Nanbu domain, when townspeople from each town dedicated their own elaborately designed stamps and other items to Morioka Hachiman Shrine and paraded through the main streets for three days.

A total of 10 floats are paraded through the city, each decorated with Kabuki and famous scenes from history.

The highlights are the ''Hachiman Kudari (Dashi Parade)'' from 13:00 on the 14th, where all the floats are lined up, and the ''Morioka Dashi Large Picture Scroll Parade'' from 18:00 on the 15th. The illuminated floats add to the majesty of the event and brighten up the autumn night.

The ''Morioka Hachimangu Shrine Annual Festival'' will be held from September 12th to 16th, and there are many highlights such as the Dashi dedication festival on the 12th, the Yoimiya festival on the 13th, the mikoshi togyo on the 14th, the visit of children on the 15th, and the Yabusame hongi on the 16th.

This year will be the first time in four years that the event will be held on a traditional scale, and the enthusiasm of the participants for the festival is sure to be even stronger. This is a festival where you can experience the history and tradition of the castle town of Morioka, so please come and visit us.