NEWS

There is an array of magnificent autumn colors, while Nishi-Awa’s autumn also has plenty of events! Even groups coming together with their families can enjoy these to the fullest.

Iya Heike Festival

Source：ikedacable ICN

In Miyoshi City, in the month of October as the Iya Heike Festival, various events are held throughout the city.
Of these events, the main day will have folk songs and dance, a performance of the legend of Princess Karauta, a performance of the legend of Iya Heike, a samurai procession, a drum performance, and even more!

・Date/The fourth Sunday of October
・Venue/Kazura Bridge Event Square

Festival of the Village of Scarecrows

Source：ikedacable ICN

Located near the Oku Iya Niju-Kazura, there is a district in Naguro called “the Scarecrow Village” where a town of scarecrows exists.
There, you can meet the kind, and seemly nostalgic faces of the scarecrows.
You can also try making scarecrows yourself and there are bazaars as well.

・Date/The first Sunday of October
・Venue/Naguro

Kurozo Marshland Festival

Source：ikedacable ICN

There is an event in the Kurozo Marshland known as “Shikoku’s Oze”, located at an elevation of 500m.
There will karaoke competitions, treasure hunting games, and food stands selling matsutake udon, handmade soba, dengakuyaki (skewed foods coated in miso and baked), yakitori (skewed grilled chicken) and even more.

・Date/Sunday in mid-October
・Venue/Kurozo Marshland

Nagayoshi Miyoshi Samurai Procession Festival

Source：ikedacable ICN

From the city of Miyoshi and town of Mino, Nagayoshi Miyoshi was the first feudal lord to be called a ruler.
There will be samurai procession as the main event, and there were also be a brass band, Iaido martial arts, an Okayama castle gun unit, dragon king drums, and rice cake throwing.

・Date/The first Sunday of November
・Venue/Mino Gym Sports Ground

Hashikura Temple Festival

Source：ikedacable ICN

It is said that the Hashikura Temple was erected when Kobo-Daishi heard the message from the spirit of the god Konpira and created it as a special temple of Shingon Buddhism.
In the Grand Autumn Festival held together with the special day of the manifestation of a Buddha, there is the Neri Kuyo (memorial ceremony for the dead) and following a Buddhist mass in which people take turns reading, mochi for good luck are thrown and there are also gift exchanges.

・Date/November 12th
・Venue/Hashikura Temple

Yokai Festival

Source：ikedacable ICN

Yokai are mythical creatures that appear in Japanese folklore. This yokai event will be held at the hometown of a yokai by the name of Konaki-jiji, meaning “old man crying” in the city of Miyoshi in Yamashiro.
There are yokai parades and yokai bands, entertainment and dance, mochi throwing, and more.

・Date/End November
・Venue/Fujinosato Park