Hachinohe Sansha Taisai 2017

Hachinohe Sansha Taisai 2017
2017 八戸三社大祭 (Hachinohe Three Shrine Grand Festival)

Although perhaps not quite as well known as the Nebuta/Neputa festivals of Aomori, Hirosaki, and Goshogawara, Hachinohe's Sansha Taisai is another famous summer festival in Aomori. It has a history of over 290 years and was recognized in 2004 as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. In 2016 it was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

It is a festival for 3 major Shinto shrines in Hachinohe, Ogami Shrine (おがみ神社), Shinra Shrine (新羅神社), and Shinmei Shrine (神明宮). The festival features a parade of 27 large dashi floats, mikoshi (portable shrines) from the 3 shrines, and Toramai tiger dancing, etc., as well as other events such as Kagami-style Kiba Dakyu (a polo-like horseback sport).

 

Date: July 31 - August 5, 2017
Location(s): 

• 八戸中心街 Hachinohe Chuushingai (Central Hachinohe)
• 八戸市役所前（市民広場） Hachinohe City Hall　（Map)
• 長者三新羅神社 Choujasan Shinra Shrine) (Map)
• 鍛冶町 Kajicho (Map)

Admission: Free (paid seats available)
Schedule:
     Monday, July 31

• 18:00-21:00 山車の展示とお囃子実演　Dashi Float Display & Musical Accompaniment　(八戸市中心街 Central Hachinohe)

     Tuesday, August 1

• 15:00～ 神輿と山車の合同運行　Mikoshi & Dashi Float Parade　(市庁前出発 Starting from Hachinohe City Hall)

     Wednesday, August 2 

• おまつり広場　Festival Area (市庁前市民広場　Hachinohe City Hall)
• 14:00～ 加賀美流騎馬打毬 Kagami Kiba Dakyu　(長者山新羅神社 Choujasan Shinra Shrine)
• 18:00～ 山車合同運行　Dashi Float Parade　(市庁前出発 Starting from Hachinohe City Hall)

     Thursday, August 3

• おまつり広場　Festival Area　(市庁前市民広場 Hachinohe City Hall)
• 15:00～ 神輿と山車の合同運行　Mikoshi & Dashi Float Parade　(鍛冶町出発 Starting from Kajicho)

     Friday, August 4

• 18:00～ 山車の展示とお囃子実演　Dashi Float Display & Musical Accompaniment　(八戸市中心街 Central Hachinohe)

     Saturday, August 5

• UNESCO Recognition Celebration (detail TBA)

(Pro tip: Avoid intersections when staking out a location to watch the float parade as the top portions of the float are retracted in order to safely pass under traffic lights, etc.)

Paid Seating: (chairs)
Cost: 2200yen
Sale Period: April 11, 2017, 9:00am ～
Reservation Method: Phone/In-Person Only

Hachinohe Tourism & Convention Association
八戸観光コンベンション協会 (map)
TEL: 0178-41-1661
Hours: 8:30-17:00 Mon.-Fri (closed Weekends & Holidays)

Seat Locations

Tuesday August 1

• Hachinohe Portal Museum Hachinohe 八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち前 (15:10-17:10) (map)
• Miharuya 三春屋前 (15:15-17:15) (map)
• Hanakame/CINO 花亀・CINO前 (15:17-17:17) (map)
• Nijusannichimachi 廿三日町 (15:20-17:20) (map)
Wednesday August 2

• Homare Company Parking Lot ほまれ商事駐車場前 (18:10-19:30) (map)
• Akita Bank Hachinohe Branch 秋田銀行八戸支店前 (18:10-19:30) (map)
• Michinoku Bank Hachinohe Main Branch みちのく銀行八戸支店前 (18:10-19:30) (map)
• Hachinohe Portal Museum Hachinohe 八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち前 (19:30-20:50) (map)
Thursday August 3

• Homare Company Parking Lot ほまれ商事駐車場前 (16:00-18:30) (map)
• Akita Bank Hachinohe Branch 秋田銀行八戸支店前 (16:10-18:30) (map)
• Michinoku Bank Hachinohe Main Branch みちのく銀行八戸支店前 (16:10-18:30) (map)

Notes/Cautions:

• Seats are not under a roof, etc.
• Please discuss wheelchair seating when making reservations
• All seats are reserved. Seat assignments will be determined by the event organizers.

Website: https://hachinohe-kanko.com/10stories/hachinohe-sannshataisai (Japanese)

More Information:
Hachinohe Sightseeing Navi (Japanese): https://hachinohe-kanko.com/10stories/hachinohe-sannshataisai
Hachinohe Tourism & Convention Association Website (Japanese): http://www.hachinohe-cb.jp/festival02.html
Aomori Sightseeing Guide, "Hachinohe Sansha Taisai": http://www.en-aomori.com/culture-041.html