Niihama Taiko Festival: One of Shikoku's Three Great Festivals - The Power of the "Fight Festival"

Niihama Taiko Festival: An Intense Festival of Shikoku's Three Great Festivals

The Niihama Taiko Festival held in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, from October 16–18 every year is one of "Shikoku's Three Great Festivals" alongside the Kochi Yosakoi Festival and Tokushima Awa Odori. In the "kaki-kurabe (taiko-dai carrying competition)," 150 young men compete carrying enormous taiko-dai floats decorated with gold and silver thread, approximately 3 tons in weight and approximately 5.4 meters tall.

What is a Taiko-dai?

A taiko-dai is a type of festival float lavishly decorated with gold thread, silver thread, and embroidery. Each district applies elaborate decorations with unique ingenuity, and the "kaki-kurabe" is a competition of pride and weight. The festival is large-scale with each district in Niihama City fielding over 30 taiko-dai.

Origin of "Fight Festival"

The "kaki-kurabe" where taiko-dai from different districts approach and compete intensely, sometimes colliding, is called the "Fight Festival." In reality, it is a serious competition of each district's pride, with the power to excite spectators.

Niihama Industrial Tourism

Niihama City is an industrial city that formerly prospered through Besshi Copper Mine (Meiji–Showa period). At "Mine Topia Besshi" (tourist facility of the former Besshi Copper Mine), the history of the copper mine and industrial heritage can be learned.

Access

Nearest station is JR Niihama Station. Approximately 1 hour from Takamatsu city by limited express, approximately 30–40 minutes from Matsuyama city by limited express.