Mikuni Festival

The Mikuni Festival brightens the days from May 15th to 21st each year at Mikuni Shrine in Sakai City (Fukui Pref.) since its historic origins dating back to the mid-Edo period. This full-fledged event is ranked among the three major festivals of the Hokuriku region, alongside the Mikurumayama Festival in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, and the Seihakusai Festival in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Savvy travelers know the main draw is the Nakabi Festival on the 20th, kicked off with a grand parade of enormous warrior figure floats (yama) accompanied by an enthralling bout of flutes, drums, and shamisen music through the town. Today’s floats measure up to about 6.5 meters but history says they were once over 10 meters tall in the mid-Meiji period, with the warriors heads bobbing high enough to see from the neighboring towns.

On Nakabi Festival day, six floats gather in front of Mikuni Shrine. The festivities launch with the Mikoshi and Float Departure Ceremony and procession, led by the first float. Don’t miss the height of the event when the parade floats arrive at the main street near the station, before eventually returning to their respective districts. The sight of these grand floats maneuvering through the crowded streets lined with food stalls is truly spectacular and a must-see.