Recognized as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Johana Hikiyama Festival is a spectacular spring event held each year on May 4th and 5th in the historic streets of Nanto. With a history spanning more than 300 years, the festival offers a rare glimpse into enduring traditions shaped by craftsmanship, music, and community spirit.
At the heart of the celebration are six magnificent hikiyama floats, each carrying sacred images and adorned with intricate carvings and detailed paintings that showcase the pinnacle of local artisan skill. These are joined by portable shrines, lion dances, and a lively procession that winds through the town in an age-old ritual welcoming the gods. Leading the floats are elegant "an-yatai," inspired by Kyoto's traditional teahouses, where musicians perform Johana's distinctive "an-uta" songs accompanied by flutes and shamisen.
Often referred to as the "Little Kyoto of Etchu," Johana provides a fitting backdrop, where the beauty of the floats is matched by the gentle melodies that drift through the streets. As evening falls, the atmosphere transforms once again, with the floats illuminated with lanterns.
The festival begins with an evening celebration on May 4th (18:00 to 22:00), followed by the main festival on May 5th (10:00 to 22:00), with the mikoshi procession starting at 9:00.
