コンテンツにスキップ
others

“Kanagawa West/Japanese Traditional Culture” Festival Special (Yugawara Edition)

「神奈川西・日本の伝統文化」 祭り特集 (湯河原編)

About “Yugawara Onsen Yukake Festival”

--What kind of festival is the Yukake Festival?

 

Yugawara Onsen Town is located vertically along the Chitose River, which flows through the prefectural border between Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures, and the Fujiki River upstream.A mikoshi is paraded along the river from Fudo Falls to Izumi Park with chants of "Dokkoi, Dokkoi." Spectators energetically pour hot spring water from Yugawara Onsen onto the mikoshi from about 2km along the road. We have 1,000 barrels (approximately 60 tons) of hot water available, so it's more of a participatory festival where you can get drenched by pouring hot water over it rather than just watching and enjoying it. In particular, the main venue, the plaza in front of the Yugawara Tourist Hall and Izumi Park, is filled with hot water as a mikoshi is paraded through the venue.

ーーHow did it all start?

 

It is said that during the Edo period, because of the high efficacy of the local hot springs, the hot springs were packed in barrels and presented to feudal lords and imperial residences. This ceremony marks the 34th anniversary of the ritual, which was originally held in those days to pray for safety on the road and to purify people by pouring hot water over them. Nowadays, hot water is poured over mikoshi as a sign of gratitude.

IMG_6687_th

--Who is carrying the mikoshi?

This year, there will be four mikoshi, three of which will be carried by members of the local mikoshi association, and one by a participant in the "Yukake Festival Experience Tour" organized by our association. Although it is limited to women, we are still recruiting participants for the trial tour, so if you are interested, please contact us (first 100 people, all participants will receive an original hand coat, participation fee is 3000 yen).

About “Yugawara Onsen”

--What kind of effects does Yugawara Onsen have?

Yugawara Onsen has been said to be a famous hot spring since ancient times, and the spring quality is slightly alkaline and colorless and transparent. It has a wide range of effects, and is said to be very effective against cuts and bruises, as well as neuralgia and women's diseases.

IMG_6687_th
Yugawara Onsen is also famous as a hot spring for beautiful skin discovered by a raccoon dog. A festival where you can fully bathe in the hot water for beautiful skin.

--What can we do to enjoy the Yukake Festival even more?

 

The Yukake Festival is something that both the bearers and the audience can enjoy. We want you to get wet and enjoy it to the fullest. On that day, the ``Mihashi Festival,'' a ritual event in which tens of thousands of disposable chopsticks collected from inns in Yugawara Onsen are burned to pray for good health and a good harvest, will also be held at the plaza in front of the Yugawara Tourist Hall. There are food stalls in the square, and there is also a footbath facility called Doppo-no-Yu during the day, so you can enjoy it all day long.

IMG_6687_th
Participants wear a short coat over their swimsuits and carry the mikoshi.

Enjoy Yugawara Onsen “more”

ーーAre there any other events that can be enjoyed in Yugawara?

From June 1st to June 11th, the ``Firefly Banquet'' will be held at Manyo Park, where you can admire the wild Genji fireflies, and the ``Hana Iris Exhibition'', where pots of irises will be lined up, will be held at the Yugawara Tourist Hall. The appearance of fireflies will vary depending on the water temperature and temperature of the river, but you can enjoy the slow and graceful light of fireflies flying in the wild.

--Please tell us about the things/spots that have been attracting attention in Yugawara Town lately.

Bakeries and ramen shops seem to be especially popular in Yugawara right now. It's often featured on TV, and I've heard that some stores limit the number of people allowed in, or there are lines that can last for hours. In addition, Yugawara has been said to be a place where sacred energy has been active since ancient times, and the ``Triple Power Spot Tour'', which visits Gosho Shrine, Joganji Temple, and Makuyama, is attracting attention, especially among young women. Masu. If you visit these three places and upload your images on SNS, you will receive a gift of prayer goods that will help you harness the power of the sacred tree, so please take a look around.

--Finally, please tell us what you like about Yugawara, Kunoki.

IMG_6687_th
Yugawara Onsen Tourism Association Planning Division Manager Kunoki

The climate is warm, the city is full of nature, and the people in the city are calm and laid-back. It's not far from the city center, it's easy to access, and it's a comfortable place to live. Natsume Soseki and other famous literary figures have long visited Yugawara to relax, but recently the number of young artists seems to be increasing as well. I would like everyone to come to Yugawara.

From Magcal Editorial Department
Manyo Park, which has a footbath, is located right next to the Yugawara Tourist Hall square, which is the main venue of the festival. There is also a tea room in the park, where you can enjoy a cup of matcha while listening to the sound of the river and the chirping of birds. Both the hot spring festival and the firefly party are held at night, so after enjoying them, I wanted to take a relaxing soak in Yugawara Onsen and stay overnight.

Hot water festival
Date: Saturday, May 27, 2017 Rain or shine
*This event is usually held on the 4th Saturday of May.
Holding time: Mikoshi parade: 19:00-21:30
Chopstick Festival/Burning Ceremony: 19:00~ (Yugawara Tourist Hall Square)
Mikoshi parade section: Fudotaki (departs at 19:00) - Yugawara Tourist Hall (around 20:00) - Izumi Park (arrives around 21:00)

Firefly Banquet/Iris Exhibition
Event period: June 1st (Thursday) to June 11th (Sunday), 2017
Holding time: 19:30-21:00 (Iris exhibition starts from 10:00)
Venue: Flower and tree garden in Manyo Park
Admission fee: Free

Inquiries: Yugawara Onsen Tourism Association TEL 0465-64-1234
*The application deadline for the women-only hot spring festival experience tour is around May 20th.

Related articles