Issaki Houtou Matsuri 2026 Experience
The Issaki Houtou Matsuri is held annually in early August, with festivities beginning on Friday and the main festival taking place on the first Saturday of August. Celebrated in the fishing town of Ishizaki, the festival is renowned for its towering Houtou (Kiriko) lanterns, energetic processions, traditional music, and prayers for abundant fishing and community prosperity.
A Brief History
The Issaki Houtou Matsuri began as a Gion-inspired summer festival at Ishizaki Hachiman Shrine, where decorative festival floats were once paraded through the town. After repeated fires destroyed the floats, the festival was suspended. During the mid-Meiji period, the tradition was revived when Kiriko lanterns were introduced from the nearby town of Ushitsu. The festival was reestablished as a lantern procession offering prayers for abundant fishing, good harvests, and protection from fire.
Festival Experience
I had planned to arrive in time for the pre-festival events, which were scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM, but due to transportation delays, I reached Ishizaki at around 3:00 PM.
As I walked around the town, I immediately noticed the towering Kiriko parked at several locations. Their impressive height made them impossible to miss. I counted six large Houtou, although the decorative panels had not yet been attached, as the day’s main focus was the children’s Kiriko procession.
The first procession I encountered small Kirikos, which traveled through the narrow streets accompanied by flutes, taiko drums, and lively chants. Seeing how narrow the streets were, I could only imagine how impressive the towering Hōtō would be during the main festival the following day.
Although the pre-festival events continued until around 6:00 PM, I returned to Wakura Onsen Station earlier to allow myself time to rest. To my surprise, another celebration was taking place in front of the station, where preschool children proudly carried their own miniature Kiriko, accompanied by a medium-sized Kiriko that paraded around the station plaza. It was a fitting end to the afternoon.
