Traditional fire festival at Shonan beach, Oiso SAGICHO.
Just about an hour train ride from Tokyo to reach the special event on Jan.13th, 2018 (Sat).
Oiso SAGICHO is the last event of NEW YEAR celebration in SEISHO Area (western district of Shonan, Kanagawa Pref.). Originally, local fishermen operated this event and it has been held for 400 years over. SAGICHO in Oiso is one of the Significant Intangible Folk-Cultural Asset. Because Oiso is the only area that is taking over this traditional event. If you visit Oiso on this day, you can feel a very very unusual Japanese ethnically event.
The climax of this event is YANNNA GOKKO. First, SAITO (tall corn-shaped bonfires) burn up on the beach. Then, group of men gather aroud the fire of some SAITO and sing
"Ise-ondo"(SAGICHO-ondo). After this ,YANNNA GOKKO starts. One group of men is on the beach, another is in the freezing sea, between them there is KRIMIYA which is connected to the rope. This scene just looks like doing a rug-of-war. KARIMIYA is believed that evil spirits are in. Finally, KARIMIYA is dragged onto the beach and anybody can pull the rope to bring it back to the shrine.
Local people offer a guided tour of this special new year event.
Oiso Daisuki Club-nonprofit organization will operate a guided tour on this day. It will be an unusual experience and help you find out Japanese culture. It's the second time this time, and, we received good reviews at previous time. We will try our best to provide better services. You can make your SAGICHO-Kifuda (made from wood) and SAGICHO-dumplings (made from race powder).
<<Overview>>
Date: January 13th, 2018 (Saturday)
Meeting time & place: 14:00 Oiso Station(JR Tokaido-line / 65 minutes from Tokyo Station)
Time Schedule:
14:10 start Oiso Station
14:30-15:00 watch movie about Oiso Sagicho at Tokoin Temple (on the way, you can see Okariya)
15:15-15:25 visit the observation tower on the beach
15:40-16:40 make Sagicho kifuda (wooden tablet), and Sagicho dumplings
17:30-18:00 Omotenashi – have a break, and try Isojuru.(miso soup)
18:10-18:30 waiting to start Fire Festival on Kitahama Beach
18:30-19:30 roast dumplings lightly and watch Yanna Gokko at Kitahama Beach.
The tour ends at Kitahama Beach.
All destinations within walkable distance (about 10 min. from JR Oiso station.)
Fee: 2000 yen (materials and insurance included)
Number of participants : up to 30 people
To sign up please apply from the website;
http://www.oiso-odc.com/
Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Japan
