Floats Are Made by the Community
Young Ladies Playing Tradtional Flutes
Float Drummer
Portable Shrine (Mikoshi)
THURSDAY
DRUM & CHANT COMPETITION
On Thursday evening, they have a FLOAT DISPLAY and the MATSURI BAYASHI (Drum and Flute) competition. This event used to take place in the Miss Veedol Dome across the street from the 100 Yen shop near McDonalds. However, last year it was held at American Park outside the main gate. The float display begins at 6pm with the Ohayashi beginning shortly therafter.
FRIDAY & SUNDAY
FLOAT PARADE
The first float parade takes place on Friday. According to the Misawa City News, there is a new route. The floats begin their trek on 30-Meter Road 6:30pm. They turn right onto City Hall Road and proceed to Central Park (Train Park) where they take a break. When they resume they go past American Park (main gate area) and on up Main Street (White Pole Road).
The main gate will be closed to vehicle traffic during the festival activites on Friday from 5 - 9pm.
On Sunday the floats will reverse the route they took on Friday and begin at the large intersection near the True Value supermarket at 1:30pm. They will head down Main Street towards the gate and turn right at American Park and go to the Train Park for a break. Then up City Hall Road to 30-Meter Road.
The main gate will be closed to vehicle traffic during the festival activites on Sunday from 1 - 3pm.
SATURDAY:
COSTUME PARADE - BON DANCERS - MIKOSHI PARADE
3pm is the start of the Costume Parade. It begins at City Hall and makes it way up City Hall Road past Misawa City Hospital and on to the intersection at the Max Value store. Then they turn right onto Main Street. They end the route at American Park.
This is followed at 4:30PM by the Nagashi Odori (tradtional Obon Japanese dance) Parade. However they begin at the Max Value end of Main Street and follow the costume parade and they end at American Park
Then at about 5:30 Mikoshi (portable shrine) Festival begins. They also begin at the top of Main Street and end up at American Park.
The main gate will be closed to vehicle traffic at various times during the festival activites. This year it will be closed from 5 to 9pm on Friday, from 3 to 9pm on Saturday and from 1 to 3pm on Sunday. Be prepared to use the Levitow (Commissary) Gate during these times.
Misawa City Festival on You Tube
Mikoshi Parade
Bon Odori
Parade Float