Kishiwada Danjiri is one of Japan's most dangerous and alluring festivals. (Photo: Purple X / CC BY-NC 2.0)

Kishiwada Danjiri Festival 2016

High wire act of danger and tradition

Kishiwada Danjiri is one of Japan's most dangerous and alluring festivals. (Photo: Purple X / CC BY-NC 2.0)
Bonson Lam   - 1 min read

The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival is on again, this year on the weekend of Sept 16 and 17. The first festival was held in 1703 by the daimyo of Kishiwada city, and it celebrates local culture as well as the skills of the local craftsmen, many of them have been in the game for generations. This festival is known for its mixture of danger and excitement, and once you are on the streets in Kishiwada and Haruki, you will know why, as 35 neighborhood teams race their 4 tonne danjiri through the streets. At night, take it the markets or relax over a beer in the courtyard Kispa La Park, where you can also get together over a game of ten pin bowling or karaoke. Kishiwada and Haruki is just 30 minutes away from either Osaka City and Kansai International Airport on the Nankai Wakayama and Airport Lines.

Bonson Lam

Bonson Lam @bonson.lam

I knew my future was destined to be with Japan the moment I flew from Sydney to experience the atmospheric laneways of Kyoto last century.  I am humbled to have met many distinguished people during this time, especially the national living treasures of Japan, such as the doll maker to the Imperia...