Arimatsu Festival Near Nagoya
- Published on : 10/10/2008
- by : Japan Experience
- Youtube
Arimatsu Festival (Arimatsu Matsuri): the town of Arimatsu, a suburb of Nagoya, has a colorful festival on the first weekend of October with large floats.
Arimatsu Festival (Arimatsu Matsuri), near Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 有松祭り
Last Sunday I went to see the annual Arimatsu Festival, though the main parade was washed out and has been rearranged for tomorrow.
Float used in the Arimatsu autumn festival, Arimatsu Aichi Prefecture
Video of the Arimatsu Matsuri
Arimatsu is a small post-town on the ancient Tokaido highway between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) and is famous for its high quality shibori (tie-dye) products.
Some beautiful historic merchant houses still remain, which are used as showrooms for Arimatsu shibori fabrics.
Edo Period building in Arimatsu, Aichi Prefecture
The festival consists of a procession of large, ornate floats pulled through the streets, accompanied by flute and drum music. The participants are dressed in locally produced happi coats.
The floats have intricately-made karakuri dolls attached to them and "dance" in time to the music.
Kimono-clad beauties at the festival
Karakuri
The locally produced karakuri automatons are a testament to the engineering skills of the Chubu area. Toyota cars are made here and the Mitsubishi Zero Sen plane in World War II.
The karakuri automatons remain the main attraction of the festival. The dolls, one of which can even write, are operated by unseen hands within the float.
Traditional building in Arimatsu, Aichi Prefecture
When is the Arimatsu Festival?
Arimatsu Festival is held on the first Sunday of October.
Access - Getting There
To get to Arimatsu take a Meitetsu train on the Meitetsu Nagoya Line from Meitetsu Nagoya Station, Kanayama, Jingu-mae or Horita stations.
Float history
