Now, this is out of the blue, but what do you think of when you think of Kosai City’s summer traditions?

You may have thought of various events such as “Enshu Arai Tezutsu Fireworks”, “Kosai Lake Fireworks”, and “Kosai Oiden Festival”.

This time, we participated in the “Kosai Oiden Festival” for the first time as a regional revitalization cooperation team, so we would like to introduce you to the event!

By the way, “Oiden” in “Kosai Oiden Festival” means “Welcome.”

I moved here in December of last year, so I learned a lot from unfamiliar words!

I'm so excited! Exciting! Participate in the Oiden Festival!

There were many food trucks set up from the entrance of the venue, selling festival staples like yakisoba and takoyaki, as well as ramen and seafood bowls!

I couldn’t stand the heat, so I had some shaved ice and sorbet ice cream to beat the heat, and enjoyed the food and beverage area by eating the classic yakisoba!

More than 30 tent and food truck stores opened their doors.

Some of the vendors are selling Kosai pork kushikatsu, one of Kosai City’s special products!

All of them looked delicious, and I was able to enjoy them while hopping between various shops ◎

We saw people having fun while sharing their meals with family and friends!

At the event opening ceremony, there was a hometown ambassador commission ceremony for Ina Soraho, the creator of Unapon, and Unapon also appeared on the occasion.

Unapon came out of Lake Hamana because he wanted to get along with everyone.

Unapon is so popular that there are always long lines to take photos at events. . . !

If you find it, let’s take a photo with it!

There are many events that children can enjoy!

At the Oiden Festival, professional sports teams such as Sanen Neo Phoenix and Shizuoka Blue Revs also held hands-on events!

At Sanen Neo Phoenix, we will be holding a shoot game using mini goals!

Get wonderful prizes depending on the points you put in!

As someone with basketball experience, I also tried the shoot game.

Although it wasn’t the highest score of the day, I got a towel and the official mascot Dunker-kun strap! !

I was able to have fun while sweating!

In addition, there were military vehicles and police cars on display that you don’t usually see, and photo sessions were also held.

Seeing a special vehicle like this excites both children and adults!

On the main stage, each group will perform dance performances and songs of various genres!

Many citizens, from small children to energetic adults, performed songs and dance performances, enlivening the stage◎

There were also karate demonstrations by athletes who have participated in national competitions, which gave me the opportunity to learn that there are people from Kosai City who are active all over the country.

The main event of the Oiden Festival is the “Citizen Dance”

Although it was extremely hot, as the sun went down, a breeze that reminded us of the arrival of autumn made the temperature comfortable.

After the daytime events are over, the main event, the Citizens’ Dance, finally begins!

Teams from companies and neighborhood associations in the city dressed in matching costumes performed the “Sakichi no Furusato Ondo,” named after Mr. Sakichi Toyoda, a native of Kosai City, as well as “Kosai Ondo,” “Arai Ondo,” and “Kosai Ondo.” They performed a lively dance to the tune of “Oiden,” and the scene was truly a sight to behold.

We also had a surprise performance from Kosai City’s hometown ambassador, Hiromi Yamashima, who sang Kosai Ondo!

A citizen dance with over 200 participants.

I hope they were able to enjoy and show off the results of the dance they had practiced every day leading up to the event!

The climax of the festival is the hand-held fireworks from Enshu Arai!

What is “Enshu Arai hand-held fireworks”?

This is a festival that has continued in Arai-cho, Kosai City for over 300 years since the Edo period, and the fireworks dedicated to Suwa Shrine in Arai-cho are hand-held fireworks.

The heroic hand-held fireworks of Enshu Arai have been around since the Edo period.

At this Oiden Festival, the number of bottles served was 160!

*In Enshu Arai Tezutsu Fireworks, fireworks are expressed as “dasu” rather than “Ageru.”

Brave men walking with hand-held fireworks and bright pillars of fire to the sound of drums and conch shells.

It was an overwhelming force that you can’t experience in other areas!

In fact, at the venue, a “Children’s Hand-held Fireworks Experience” was held before the finale hand-held fireworks display!

Children’s handheld fireworks are small in size, but when you let them out, they are very impressive.

Not only were you able to experience the traditional culture of Arai that has been passed down through the ages, but I think you and your family were also able to create fun memories.

The Kosai Oiden Festival is a summer tradition in Kosai where many citizens gather once a year.

I can’t wait for next year’s event!