🎎 Otsu Matsuri (Otsu Festival)

The Ōtsu Matsuri is one of the "Three Great Festivals of the Lake Region" (Lake Region refers to the ancient Shiga Prefecture) and is a celebration that announces the arrival of autumn in the Shiga area. This festival is held at the "Tenson Shrine" in the central part of Ōtsu City, located on the southwestern side of Lake Biwa, and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of the country. The highlight of the Ōtsu Matsuri is the magnificent and grand parade of floats, featuring 13 floats made during the Edo period that parade through the streets. Each large float measures 6 meters high, 3 meters wide, and approximately 5.2 meters long, adorned with different decorations and carvings that capture the attention of the crowd. A significant feature of each float is the mechanized puppets it carries. The performance of these puppets is called "Sokubō," and during the parade, the floats stop at 20 locations to perform the "Sokubō." On the day before the main festival, during the evening festival (Yoi Matsuri), the mechanized puppets are removed from the floats and displayed in nearby machiya (traditional townhouses), allowing visitors to closely admire the intricate designs, drawing many tourists specifically for this experience. Adding to the festive atmosphere is the famous "Sazuki," where the "purified rice dumplings" from Tenson Shrine are boldly thrown from the floats in all directions. It is said that hanging these dumplings at the entrance or under the eaves of a house can protect against disasters and ensure good health.

The celebration marking the arrival of autumn in Shiga Prefecture features a parade of 13 Edo-period floats, which is the highlight of the event. The "Sazuke" activity, where "Joya-zuki" rice dumplings are thrown from the floats, is a must-see.