Osaka

Hiranosato Summer Festival

The largest float festival in Osaka

Kaitlynn Scannell Jul 18, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>A young boy enjoys one of the festival games</p>

<p>Two of the many festival stalls selling food, drinks, games, and goods</p>

<p>Festival guests enjoying the shrine</p>

<p>Guests enjoying the passages of food, drinks, goods, and games</p>

<p>During the parade, balloons were given out.</p>

<p>One of the nine floats of the parade. Many of the participants chanted and danced while on the floats.</p>

<p>Stalls are lined up very closely on each passageway of the shrine.</p>

<p>Many people prayed within the shrine during the festival</p>

The Hiranosato Summer Festival announces the coming of mid-summer in Osaka city. It is the largest float festival with nine floats competing in a pulling contest before they enter Kumata Shrine.

At Kumata Shrine, the paths are paved with street venders, food, drinks, festival games and so much more. The shrine is just minutes from Hirano Station and is said to have originated in the 4th year of the Yeikan Period in 862. During this festival the three pavilions open, with each one holding an important cultural asset, including an 800-1,000 year old camphor tree.

The parade of floats are fascinating to watch as groups of supporters gather and run towards and against the floats, each one gyrating between the entrance and another street. It is truly an experience to remember.