The Gotemba Waraji Festival is a traditional festival in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and has long been a favorite.
The festival is held every summer and includes a waraji jinxing and a waraji competition,
And the food stalls, an essential part of the festival, attract many people.
Here are some of the highlights and ways to enjoy the Gotemba Waraji Festival.
We encourage everyone to visit and enjoy this traditional Japanese festival to the fullest!
History of Gotemba Waraji Festival
The Waraji Festival is based on Gotemba's historical background.
In the old days, 12 villages in the Gotemba area selected the 12 most talented waraji weavers from each village and dedicated their waraji to the inner shrine of the Sengen-taisha shrine on top of Mt.
And it is said that the chosen daughter got a good marriage and always became a wife within the same year.
Since Gotemba used to produce "waraji" (straw sandals) for travelers on the Tokaido Highway over Hakone, these sandals are dedicated as an annual event to pray for good health, a good harvest, and traffic safety.
This historical background leads to the origin of the Waraji Festival.
The highlight of the Gotemba Waraji Festival, the "Waraji-mikoshi" (portable shrine), in which women play the leading roles
The main attraction at the Gotemba Waraji Festival is the "Waraji Mikoshi" (portable shrine).
The portable shrine is 3 meters long and weighs about 100 kg, and women of junior high school age or older carry it in a parade through the streets.
In the evening as sunset approaches, Waraji-musume (warrior women) wearing matching orange happi coats parade from Shimbashi Sengen Shrine to the pedestrianized street, carrying large waraji.
bracket race
Another highlight of the festival is the "straw rope race.
In the straw rope race, a person is placed on a straw rope and pulled by a team of two to see how fast they can pull the straw rope.
In addition to the general and women's divisions, there is also a competition for the most spectacular performance, and both divisions are crowded with spectators, who cheer cheer vigorously.
pedestrian mall
The Gotemba Waraji Festival is a festival in which the shopping district is turned into a pedestrian paradise and a variety of events are held.
Many stalls are set up at this festival, and visitors can enjoy a wide variety of food and drinks, including beer, snacks, and watermelon.
In particular, there are many food stalls, each with their own special dishes and goods.
The feeling of individual freedom to enjoy dancing and other activities in the pedestrian zone of the Gotemba Waraji Festival may be an event unlike any other.
Scheduled Date
Sunday, August 6, 2023
Access
Address: 2083 Shinbashi, Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Venue: In the pedestrian paradise of the Summer Festival
5 minutes walk from JR Gotemba Station
Approximately 5 minutes from the Gotemba Interchange on the Tomei Expressway
Parking: None
Use paid parking near Gotemba Station.
