Matsunami Ningyou Kiriko Matsuri 2026
Held annually on the fourth Saturday of July in the Matsunami district of Noto Town, the Matsunami Ningyou Kiriko Matsuri is one of the most distinctive Kiriko festivals on the Noto Peninsula. Each Kiriko lantern is decorated with a handmade ningyō (doll), making the procession instantly recognizable among Noto’s many Kiriko festivals.
A Brief History
The festival dates back to 1811, when local youths introduced a Kiriko lantern to the town’s Gion Festival. As the tradition spread, neighboring communities built their own Kiriko and gradually added decorative carvings, crests, and the handmade dolls that have become the festival’s defining feature. Although the lanterns were reduced in size in the early twentieth century to accommodate telephone lines, the tradition has been preserved for more than two centuries.
What is Ningyou?
Ningyou literally means “human figure” or “doll” in Japanese. At the Matsunami Ningyou Kiriko Matsuri, each Kiriko lantern is decorated with a large handmade doll mounted on its front.
Festival Experience
When I arrived, around six large Kiriko and two smaller Kiriko were lined up in front of the Uchiura Welfare Center, where participants made final preparations before the procession. Shortly after 4:00 PM, the Kiriko departed one by one toward Matsunami Shrine.
The handmade ningyou are what set this festival apart. While some depict historical or folkloric figures, others feature modern characters, including popular anime icons, creating an interesting contrast between tradition and contemporary culture. The procession includes a mikoshi, shoulder-carried Kiriko, smaller wheeled Kiriko operated by children, with many families participating together.
After seeing the Kiriko off on their afternoon procession, I decided to wrap up my documentation and head home, just in time to prepare dinner. I also made it home safely, thanks to my coworker who had temporarily adopted me and brought me along to the festival. As an extra bonus, I also got to meet his lovely family and kids.
Revisiting the very start of my Kiriko festival journey with the Matsunami Ningyou Kiriko Matsuri, I never thought that I would end up visiting around 20 festivals within the span of three months. I feel very fortunate that the people around me during my internship have been immensely supportive of my research interests, even though they had barely met me at the time.
Another bonus: Although I was not able to see the festival at night, another coworker who is also interested in festivals kindly sent me photos taken later that evening. Apparently, the Kiriko had returned to the same place where they had lined up before setting out for the afternoon procession.
