The rain has come! But so have summer festivals!

Please also check-out the previous post for the firework festivals in Saga (not included here)

Imari Okawachi Village Windchime Festival

From June 15th to August 31

Place: Imari Pottery Village 〒848-0025 佐賀県伊万里市大川内町乙1806番地（伊万里鍋島焼会館）

Takeo Onsen Team Lab Light-up

From July 12th to November 4th

Place: Takeo City and Mifuneyama

〒843-0023 佐賀県武雄市武雄町 大字昭和12番地の10

Website (in Japanese) https://www.takeo-kk.net/season/summer.html

Taku Lotus Festival 第２回多久古代蓮まつり

On July 13^th, Saturday, 7pm

The 3 Karatsu Gion

These Gion festival involve large floats being carried around the local shrines.

From July, 20^th Saturday to 21^st Sunday

• Hamasaki Gion Festival (Karatsu City area)　浜崎祇園祭
  • There are three floats in Hamasaki, each 15metre (50feet) tall! The festival is said to have started in 1753.
• Kodomo Gion Festival (Yobuko area)　小友祇園祭
  • The float here is also 15metre tall and weighs 3 tons! Carried by only about 50 young men, it began in 1658 in hopes of ending a cholera epidemic. At the end of the festival, the float will be carried into the sea.
• Tokusue Gion Festival (Kitahata area)　徳須恵祇園祭

Oshima Parade 沖ノ島参り

On July 24^th, Wednesday

Place: Kashima Roadside Station.

• A boat from each area along the Akiake sea departs from Kashima roadside station carrying prays for good catches and safe voyage. Singing and dancing is performed at this summer festival. It is said that during the Edo period, a girl called “Oshima” threw herself into the sea in hopes it would end the dought. Her body washed ashore the Island now called “Oshima Island”. The boats in this festival will depart to Oshima Island at 10.30.
• 6.30pm to departure at 10.30pm

Summer Passover Festival in Yobuko’s Tajima Shrine 田島神社夏越祭（なごしさい）

From July 27^th Saturday to 28^th Sunday

• Kabeshima Island (connected by bridge to Yobuko)
• By praying to the Gods to protect the land from wind, flood and epidemics, this festival hopes to drive away evil spirits.

Kashima Odori Dance Festival

From August 2^nd, Friday to Augst 3^rd, Saturday.

• 7pm dancing starts, central Kashima City.