"Fukushima Waraji Festival" where Japan's largest waraji parade through the city

Fukushima City's most representative summer festival is the "Fukushima Waraji Festival," which is held from the first Friday to Sunday in August every year. It is a heroic festival in which a giant waraji, the largest in Japan with a length of 12 meters, is paraded through the city center and dedicated to Haguro Shrine, which is enshrined on Mt. Shinobu, the symbol of Fukushima City.

The Waraji Festival originates from Akatsuki Mairi, a winter ritual that has been passed down at Haguro Shrine for over 400 years. It is said that the Akatsuki Mairi began a long time ago when straw sandals were knitted and dedicated to the King Nio, who was enshrined at the Niomon gate of Haguro Shrine. Later, people who went on long journeys such as visiting Ise Shrine began dedicating straw sandals to pray for good health and safe travels, and today people also pray for good health, family safety, prosperous business, and a bountiful harvest. Akatsuki Mairi is held on February 10th every year, and one leg is dedicated. One foot is dedicated at the Waraji Festival in August, and one pair (both feet) is dedicated together.

One of the highlights of the Waraji Festival is the Waraji Odori. In 2019, the 50th year of the festival, we renewed the ''Waraji Ondo'' composed by Yuji Koseki with live music and live singing, and also updated the dance choreography. At the Waraji Parade, please pay attention to the enthusiastic performance by the dancers.