Hiruga Underwater Tug-of-War 2026

With a history dating back to the early 17th century, the Hiruga Underwater Tug-of-War event is a prayer for a bountiful fish catch, featuring a dramatic contest of strength.

Held on the third Sunday of January each year, the ritual involves participants leaping from the Hiruga Bridge into the Hiruga Canal, where they engage in a tug-of-war to tear apart a massive straw rope floating on the water. Originally, the event was performed by 25-year-old men seeking to ward off bad luck, but nowadays participants vary in age, with some up to 60 years old joining the tradition.

The origins of the event are heavily tied to local folklore. One legend tells of a giant snake blocking the canal, preventing boats from passing. Following a wise man’s advice, viillagers demonstrated their strength by tearing apart a massive rope to scare the creature away. Another account traces the ritual to 1635, when the feudal lord of Obama, Tadakatsu Sakai, commissioned a canal to connect Lake Hiruga with the sea, transforming Hiruga into a prosperous harbor. The tug-of-war was established to commemorate the canal’s completion and to ensure good fishing fortunes.

The ritual begins at 5am in the morning with the rope-making process at the nearby Inari Shrine (稲荷神社), with the main event starting around 2pm with the chanting of traditional songs before the participants dive into the canal. After the rope is successfully torn apart, its remnants are cast into the sea as an offering to the sea god, marking the end of the event.