Held annually in Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture, the Sendai Otsunahiki is a large-scale tug-of-war festival that dates back over 400 years. Around 3,000 men dressed in white sarashi cloth gather to pull a massive handwoven rope stretching 400 meters and weighing up to seven tons. The rope is crafted that same morning with the help of over 1,500 local high school students and adults, and members of the public are also welcome to join in the weaving process.
The festival is believed to have started during the Sengoku (Warring States) period as a way for warriors to train and sharpen their fighting spirit. Today, it also symbolizes community hopes for agricultural abundance and business prosperity.
The tug-of-war begins at 8:15pm, after a ritual held at 7pm. Spectators can watch as teams hook the rope onto stoppers and compete in a slow, strategic battle that often lasts over 90 minutes. The event concludes with a judge cutting the rope to declare the winner.
Important note: the venue alternates between two sides of the river according to a three-year cycle (two years on the Mukoda side, one year on the Oshoji side), so attendees should confirm the exact location each year. Additionally, those who are participating should wear proper attire, including closed-toe shoes for safety purposes.
The 2025 event is held on the Oshoji side.
For more details, please head to the official site here.
