It’s the second half of June, and summer is just around the corner☀️

When we think of summer, we think of blue skies, strong sunlight, and adventures at the sea or in the mountains. There are also other food pleasures that can only be enjoyed in summer, such as seasonal vegetables and fruits, somen noodles, and shaved ice!

However, when it comes to summer traditions, it is definitely festivals.

During festivals, the town is usually a familiar sight, but during festivals, there are many stalls and stalls lined up, making the town lively.

So, this time we will introduce three festivals that herald the arrival of summer in Arai-cho, Kosai City!

*One (01.Sumiyossama) has ended, so we will introduce the details and history of the festival the other day.

01.Sumiyossama

The first one was the “Sumiyoshi Shrine Festival” (commonly known as Sumiyossama), which was held the other day (June 15th) and is the biggest summer festival of the year in Arai Town!

It is said that there is a culture where people in new homes start wearing yukata for the first time on this day.

This year too, we saw many people wearing yukata in Araicho 👘

I also wore a yukata and participated in “Sumiyossama”🙆

 

About Sumiyoshi Shrine and Sumiyossama

1. About Sumiyoshi Shrine

Sumiyoshi Shrine is one of the four Arai shrines and is revered by parishioners. The Sumiyoshi Sanjin are the gods of the sea, and are deeply worshiped by people involved in the fishing industry, fishermen, shipping wholesalers, and anglers, who visit Sumiyoshi Shrine to pray for a good catch and safety at sea.

*Sumiyoshi Shrines scattered all over the country have been worshiped since ancient times as guardian deities of maritime transportation and fishing, and Sumiyoshi Shrine in Arai-cho, Kosai City is one of them.

The four Arai Shrines refer to the four shrines that have existed in Araijuku since ancient times: Sumiyoshi Shrine, Suwa Shrine, Minato Shrine, and Hachioji Shrine.

Sumiyoshi Shrine was founded in 1603, the year the Edo period began. Since its founding, the three Sumiyoshi gods, the gods of the sea, have been enshrined as deities.

★Sumiyoshi Sanjin

・Sotsutsu no Omikoto

・Nakatsutsuo no Mikoto

・Uwatsutsu no Omikoto

 

02.About Sumiyossama

Izumi-cho is a shrine town for Sumiyos-sama, and during festivals, small paper lanterns depicting senryu trees and caricatures are hung to entertain the pilgrims.

The approach to the shrine is crowded with worshipers of all ages and genders wearing yukata.

Local specialties and food are sold, and there are many stalls around the shrine, creating a lively atmosphere.

This year as well, in addition to stalls and stalls, Arai-cho stores such as “cafe&kitchen Kintaro”, “Manjuya”, “Isagoya”, “Torihatu”, and the local “Super Kakikoya” will be held. We had over-the-counter sales, and many people visited the store◎

Local children were also showing off the toys they won at the stall!

 

Announcement that Kinokuniya Museum is open for free at night

On the day of the event, the Araicho Kinokuniya Museum was open to the public free of charge in conjunction with “Sumiyossama.” There were many people spending a relaxing and luxurious time inside the facility.

The beautiful Kinokuniya with its elegant lighting was perfect for an early summer night!

 

Araijuku Hatago Kinokuniya Museum Facility Information

・adress : 1280-1 Arai, Arai-cho, Kosai-shi, Shizuoka 431-0302

・parking : Arai Sekisho Historical Museum parking lot (open until 20:30)

1227-5 Arai, Arai-cho, Kosai-shi, Shizuoka 431-0302

・phene number : 053-594-3615 (Arai Sekisho Archives)

Why not wear a yukata next year and visit Araicho’s first festival?

02. Dainitsama

The second festival is Arai Town’s second summer festival, “Dainichi Nyorai Festival” (commonly known as Dainitsama), which is held on the first Sunday of July (Sunday, July 7th)!

On the left is “Dainichi Nyorai”, on the right is “Oyama Konohana Shrine”

It is a summer festival that is affectionately known by local residents as “Dainitsama”.

It celebrates the festival days of Dainichi Nyorai, which is enshrined near Arai Elementary School, and the adjacent Oyama Konohana Shrine.

Dainichi Nyorai was repaired in 1799 and was located at the current location of the elementary school, but it was moved to its current location when Mt. Genta was demolished.

The deity enshrined at Oyama Konohana Shrine is Konohana Sakuyahime, and even after the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, they were once again enshrined together at the local request.

People visit Dainichi Nyorai with their hands clasped together, and Oyama Konohana Shrine with their hands clasped together to pray for a rich harvest, safety for their families, and safety at sea.

On the day of the event, local young people known as “controllers” will be playing drums and flutes to liven up the atmosphere of the festival!

 

Route to Oyama Konohana Shrine

From Nakatamachi Pocket Park, go towards Kogane-chan Bento Arai Main Store and enter the alley in front of Doshindo Bookstore (now closed) 🚶

Proceed down the alley.

When I passed by for the first time, I was a little worried about whether this was the way to go or not lol.

Continue on until you reach Dainichi Nyorai and Oyama Konohana Shrine.

The entrance may be a little difficult to find, but if you’re attending a festival, be sure to stop by!

 

・date and time : Sunday, July 7, 2020 Time to be determined

・place : Dainichi Nyorai/Oyama Konohana Shrine (enshrined at the same location)

797-4 Arai, Arai-cho, Kosai-shi, Shizuoka 431-0302

03.Suwa Shrine dedication fireworks festival

The Suwa Shrine Dedicated Fireworks Festival is a traditional festival held every summer in Arai-cho, Kosai City.

On the eve of the festival, votive fireworks (tezutsu fireworks) are set off, illuminating the beautiful night sky.

 

About Suwa Shrine

Suwa Shrine is enshrined as the deity of Takeminakata no Mikoto.

The shrine has been revered since ancient times as the guardian deity of local residents, but due to several disasters during the Meio, Eisho, and Genroku eras, records such as ancient documents remain until it was moved to its current location in 1708. There are no remains of the temple, and the origins and year of its founding are unknown.

 

About the Suwa Shrine dedication fireworks festival

The “Suwa Shrine Dedicated Fireworks Festival” began as part of the local prayers for good harvest and safety.On the eve of the festival, local residents dedicate fireworks (tezutsu fireworks) to the shrine to pray for a good harvest and safety for the year and give thanks. I have expressed my thoughts.

Tezutsu fireworks are dedicated as part of Shinto rituals and are launched as offerings to the gods.

Tezutsu fireworks are hand-held fireworks that are characterized by their heroic performance!

When you hold the cylinder in your hand and ignite it, as the gunpowder burns, the sparks that shoot up high overwhelm the audience.

Launching hand-held fireworks is extremely dangerous and requires skill and strong mental strength. Because of its power, the “votive fireworks” are known to the world as one of the world’s strangest festivals.

In addition to the main event, the Tezutsu Fireworks, there are traditional Shinto rituals and local food stalls and stalls, allowing you to get a feel for the local culture and tradition.

When enjoying the festival, we recommend using public transportation. This event is a great opportunity to experience the history and culture of the area and deepen ties with the local people 🙆

 

・date and time : Saturday, July 27, 2020, 7:15 p.m.

*This will be the eve of the festival (fair, hand-held fireworks).

・place : Arai Junior High School

1181 Nakanogo, Araicho, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture 431-0301

 

This time, we introduced three festivals that represent Arai-cho, Kosai City.

There are plenty of festivals to brighten up the summer!

Please come and visit the festival in Arai-cho, Kosai City this summer.