Kishiwada Danjiri Festival VIP Viewing Seat Ticket

— What You Can Expect —

Few festivals in Japan are as iconic or representative of the country's unique culture as the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival. With a history dating back more than 300 years, the shrine float-pulling event attracts hundreds of ardent young men to put on a display of their strength for the gods and onlookers. Now you, too, can have a VIP seat and cheer on the festival participants with the local Japanese! Watch in awe as the shrine floats twist and turn under the labors of the mighty throng working to move them! This stunning display of strength and devotion is one of Japan's most treasured traditions, one that is sure to leave you with a deep respect and appreciation for Japanese culture!

— About Danjiri —

The danjiri used in the "Kishiwada Danjiri Festival'' is called "Shimodanjiri'' or "Kishiwada type''. The danjiri is about 4 m high, about 2.1 m wide, about 4.5 m long, and weighs about 4 tons. Most of its components are made of zelkova wood. It is owned by each town and operated by each town's festival organization. All the expenses for the renovation are donated by the citizens of Kishiwada, who put a great deal of love and care into making each year's festival one to remember.

— Highlights of the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival —

A total of 500 to 1,000 people pull the danjiri, including the 'Hikite', 'Narimono', 'Daiku-gata', 'Mae-teko', and 'Ushiro-teko'. One of the highlights of the festival is the way people work together to smoothly move the huge 4-ton danjiri. The dynamic "Yarimawashi," in which the pullers work together to change the direction of the danjiri at right angles while running vigorously, can be said to be the biggest highlight. Through long-term practice and preparation, they deepen their bonds, develop physical strength for towing, and develop the courage to break through dangerous situations. Only when everyone is in sync will the “Yarimawashi” succeed. It is a powerful scene that conveys the strength of regional solidarity that has supported the Kishiwada Festival for over 300 years. Towing a huge danjiri is undoubtedly dangerous; yet the passion of Kishiwada citizens remains unchanged. When you hear the festival music, you can't help but go out to cheer on the danjiri pullers. This is because the Danjiri Festival is a source of pride for the citizens of Kishiwada and a unique shared cultural link. Each year, the tradition of the Danjiri Festival is renewed and passed down from parents to children, and from children to grandchildren.

- About the VIP viewing seat -

Over the three days from September 15th to 17th (Shiken-biki, Yoimiya, Honmiya), a total of about 2,500 VIP viewing seats will be placed at two venues with prime views of the festival: the mountain side (Co-op Kishiwada store parking lot) and the ocean side (CanCan Bayside Mall).
In order to accommodate a wide range of visitors, a variety of ticket types are available, including those that feature a meal and a souvenir, in addition to the traditional spectator seating.
Enjoy the“Shiken-biki,” (test pull) where you can experience the tension unique to the day before the performance up close, the “Hikidashi” (pulling out) where you can see the decisive moment when the danjiri go out to each town for the first time on the day of the festival, and the “Kago” (afternoon) when the festival gets even more exciting. Don't miss it!

- Ticket type - (each portion of the event has mountain side and sea side seats)

• [Friday, September 15th]
  

・Shiken-biki (trial run before the festival starts): 2:00 pm–4:00 pm

• [Saturday, September 16th]
  

・Hikidashi (Danjiri from all towns start at 6:00 am in the early morning of the first day of the festival): 6:00 am–7:30 am

・Morning: 9:30 am–12:00 pm

・Kago ①: 1:00 pm–2:30 pm

・Kago ②: 3:30 pm–5:00 pm

• [Sunday, September 17th]
  

・Kago ①: 1:00 pm–2:30 pm

・Kago ②: 3:30 pm–5:00 pm

・Kago ① and ② (lunch box and souvenir): 1:00 pm–5:00 pm

・Kago ① and ②: 1:00 pm–5:00 pm