🎎 Kambara Festival蒲原まつり

The Kambara Festival is renowned alongside Murakami City's "Murakami Grand Festival" and Kashiwazaki City's "Kashiwazaki Enma Market," and is one of the "Three Great Takai Markets of Niigata," representing the region. Every year from June 30 to July 2, a three-day festival is held at Kambara Shrine and its surroundings, attracting approximately 340,000 visitors. One of the most eye-catching aspects is the scale of the vendors. Over 400 stalls line the approach to the shrine and the main road, stretching a total length of 1 kilometer. In addition to local delicacies such as "Poppo-yaki" (ポッポ焼), a famous Niigata snack made from flour and brown sugar, the shrine's approach also features nostalgic stalls like haunted houses and shooting games. The vendors operate until 11 PM, with a continuous flow of people. During the particularly crowded hours from 6 PM to 9 PM, traffic control will be in effect, and the approach will be one-way, so please take special note. On August 1, Kambara Shrine holds the "Omikuji" fortune-telling event to predict the year's rice harvest, followed by various Shinto rituals, including a Kagura offering to pray for a bountiful harvest on the following day, August 2. Among these, the "Omikuji," which has a history of 800 years dating back to the Kamakura period, is not to be missed. On the day of the festival, nearby parking lots will not be open, so it is recommended to use public transportation to attend.

The festival activities held at Kamihara Shrine and its surroundings feature over 400 stalls, stretching a total length of 1 kilometer, attracting approximately 340,000 visitors each year. During particularly crowded times, the approach to Kamihara Shrine will operate as one-way traffic. The shrine hosts traditional rituals that have been held for over 800 years. During the festival period, the parking lot will be closed, so it is recommended to use public transportation to get there.