The event has ended] 2025 edition! Wasshoi! The biggest waraji in Japan [Fukushima Waraji Festival

  • Fukushima
  • Sightseeing
Fukushima Straw Straw Festival
The Fukushima Waraji Festival is a parade of dancers carrying Japan's largest waraji (straw sandals), 12 meters long, with live music played by taiko drums and flutes, and a "Wasshoi, Wasshoi! Wasshoi! This year's festival will be held from August 1 to 3.

Fukushima Waraji Festival Schedule

This year, the festival will be held from August 1 to 3!

August 1 (Fri.) 17:30 - 21:00 (tentative)
- Purification Ceremony, Kizuna Parade, Waraji Odori, Large Waraji Parade, Creative Waraji Parade

August 2 (Sat.) 17:00 - 21:30 (tentative)
- Fukushima Waraji Tug of War, Waraji Odori, Large Waraji Parade, Creative Waraji Parade, Kizuna Parade Finale

August 3 (Sun.) 9:30 - (tentative)
・Dedication of Big Waraji

Japan's largest waraji (straw sandals) with a length of 12 meters

The biggest waraji in Japan
The Fukushima Waraji Festival originated from the "Nobuo Sanzan Gyomairi," in which a 12-meter-long giant waraji is dedicated to the Haguro Shrine on Mt.
In keeping with the tradition of dedicating the "largest waraji in Japan," a pair of waraji (one for each foot) is dedicated in the summer, and when combined with the large waraji dedicated at the "Dawn Mairi," the two pairs of waraji (one for each foot) are offered as a prayer for even better health.

The "Waraji Ondo" and "Waraji Odori" will be renewed!

Waraji Odori" dance with "Waraji no Wa" (straw rope)
The "Waraji Ondo" danced by the participants of the Waraji Festival was composed by Yuji Koseki, who was the model for the TV series "Yale.
In 2019, the 50th anniversary of the festival, the Waraji Ondo was renewed with live flute and drum performances and live singing by musician Yoshihide Otomo, who is associated with Fukushima City.
The dance was also renewed to match the dynamic music. The dancers hold a ring called "waranowa" in both hands, and perform a powerful and gorgeous dance characterized by movements of the lower half of the body, which evokes the image of strong legs.

The parade of powerful big waraji!

Straw Straw Straw parade
Premium seats (paid spectator seats) are available at the venue to enjoy the power of the Waraji Matsuri.
For details, please check the official website of the Waraji Festival.

Event Information

Straw Straw Straw Festival flyer (front)
Straw Straw Straw Festival flyer (back)
There will also be a hands-on class on Saturday, August 2.
Venue / Faculty of Health Science, Prefectural University of Medicine (tentative)

10:00-12:00
・Waraji making class, Bucket drum making class, Waraji carrying class
Registration closes at 11:30
First 50 people for Waraji making class

13:30-15:00
・Waranowa making class, Waraji Odori class
You can try making "Waranowa" which is necessary when participating in the Waraji Odori dance. You can experience making "straw straw straw" which is necessary for participating in the Waraji Odori dance.
Registration ends at 2:30 p.m.
First 50 registrants

Aiming to create a dance that anyone can enjoy participating in, the reborn "Newborn Waraji Festival" will further enliven the summer in Fukushima!
Click here for details of Fukushima Waraji Festival
Image courtesy of Fukushima Waraji Festival Executive Committee
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