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August 1, 2026 at 10:51 am
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August 2, 2026 at 10:51 am
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Raise the Towers — Celebrate Heritage at Uozu Tatemon Festival 2026!
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The Tatemon Festival is one of the highlights of the Jantokoi Uozu Festival. Taking place on the first Friday and Saturday of August, the event features seven massive Tatemon floats—towering, boat-shaped structures adorned with over 90 glowing lanterns. Each float is about 16 meters tall, set on a 10-meter-long sled weighing roughly 5 tons, and pulled by around 80 energetic participants dressed in traditional happi coats. These floats are said to resemble either offerings to the gods stacked in a pyramid form or fishing boats with raised sails. The name “Tatemon” likely originated from a mispronunciation of the Japanese phrase for “offerings to the gods.”
Festival Dates
- Festival Dates: Friday and Saturday, August 7–8, 2026 (Nighttime event)
Location
- Suwa Shrine
- Address: 937-0056 Toyama Prefecture, Uozu City, Suwamachi 1-16
- Phone: 0765-22-1020
- Fax: 0765-23-1020
Access
- 20-minute walk from Uozu Station (Toyama Chiho Railway)
- 10 minutes by car from Uozu Station
- 15 minutes by car from the Uozu Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway
- Parking: Specified car parks available
Festival Highlights
- The floats are paraded through the Suwa Shrine neighborhood by passionate local youth.
- The vibrant lanterns light up the night sky as rhythmic chants echo across the seaside town.
- The dynamic pulling of the floats creates an electric atmosphere, making the earth and sky feel alive with energy.
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Historical Significance
- Originated about 300 years ago as a ritual by local parishioners praying for bountiful fishing and maritime safety.
- Evolved from simple lantern stands to elaborate floats by the early Taisho period.
- In October 1972, the seven Tatemon floats were designated as Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Toyama Prefecture.
- In December 1997, the festival was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
Cultural Notes
- In the 1950s, the Tatemon were pulled along the sandy beaches in front of Suwa Shrine. This is why the floats are built on sled platforms.
- Historically, floats crossed rivers near the shrine to be presented as offerings.
- Miniature Tatemon displays can be seen year-round at Ariso Dome and Shinkawa Culture Hall in Uozu City.
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