Shingou Noryousai 2026 Experience
The Shingou Nouryo Festival, also known as the Natauchi Osuzumi Festival, takes place on August 14 in Fujise, Nakajima Town, Nanao City. Large and small Oakeshi, a candle-lit type of Kiriko, parade through the rural community to the sounds of drums, gongs, and the traditional Yansako festival song. The largest Kiriko reaches approximately 9 meters in height.
A Brief History
In 1978, the festival was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Nanao City under the name Natauchi Osuzumi Festival. In 1997, it was also included among Noto’s Kiriko festivals selected as nationally recognized intangible folk cultural heritage.
Festival Experience
We arrived a few minutes before 7 PM. The sun had not yet set, and the Kiriko were still waiting to be lit. They were positioned at several points around the shrine, with groups stationed on both sides and another Kiriko already inside the shrine grounds.
We first went to the far-right side, where a large and a small Kiriko were waiting. At around 7:05 PM, the lanterns and decorative panels were gradually lit using candles. Once the Kiriko were fully illuminated, the procession began with the sound of gongs and taiko drums.
Compared with the other Kiriko festivals I had witnessed, this one had one of the fastest-paced processions, probably because the Kiriko were fitted with wheels. The lack of streetlights in the area also made the candle-lit Kiriko stand out even more. We joined the procession and were even given disposable light sticks by local residents, which were useful as some parts of the route were almost completely dark.
When we reached the shrine, the two large and one small Kiriko from the other side of the community had also arrived. This year, there were around four large Kiriko and three small Kiriko in total.
The next part of the festival involved the Kiriko entering the shrine one by one. The festival songs sung by the Kiriko carriers became louder at this point. Once inside, they were carried around the grounds and repeatedly lifted up. As each Kiriko entered, several of the others circled around the shrine together. We left before the festival ended as I needed to return to Suzu.
