Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion
The Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, presents information on the Otsu Matsuri (Otsu Festival). The Otsu Matsuri (Otsu Festival) is one of the three big Shiga festivals and takes place on the first weekend of October before the second Monday of the month.
Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion
Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion 大津祭 曳山展示館
Replica float, Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion
Float decoration, Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion, Japan
The Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, presents information on the Otsu Matsuri (Otsu Festival).
The Otsu Matsuri (Otsu Festival) is one of the three big Shiga festivals and takes place on the first weekend of October before the second Monday of the month.
Otsu Matsuri began in the Edo Period of Japanese history and its base shrine is the city's Tenson Shrine.
The festival has several similarities to the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. The richly decorated floats, festooned with treasures from the Silk Road from as far away as Belgium, are displayed and illuminated on the first day of the festival. They are then pulled through the streets on the second.
However, the 13 floats (hikiyama) of Otsu Matsuri have only 3 not 4 wheels as in the Kyoto version.
The floats come from the various neighborhoods of Otsu. They are the source of great local pride for each district of the city.
Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion
Replica float, Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion
Exhibits of Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion
The free Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion introduces the Otsu Matsuri through video, photographs, wall panels and a replica of an Otsu Matsuri float.
Visitors on entry are asked to view a video of the festival and then tour the two floored museum. The main exhibit is an Otsu Matsuri float. On the second floor there are close up views of the ornate wooden paneling and material decorations. Visitors can also operate the karakuri - Edo Period mechanical, wooden dolls - that are attached to each float in the procession.
There are photographs of past festivals and detailed explanations of the decorations and puppets of each float. Wall panel images and miniatures of the floats place them with their respective neighborhoods and explain their history and ornamentation.
On the second floor you can listen to the music of the festival and see the colorful happi coats won by the participants.
Close up of the gorgeous decoration, Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion, Japan
Float, Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion, Japan
Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion Access
Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion1-2-27 Chuo, OtsuShiga Prefecture 520-0043Tel: 077 521 1013
Admission is free.
The first day of the Otsu Matsuri on the Saturday begins from nightfall on. The procession on the Sunday starts around 9am and ends at around 5pm
To get to Otsu from Kyoto Station take the Biwako Line from Kyoto Station to JR Otsu Station (2 stops; 10 minutes).
From Sanjo-Keihan Station take a Tozai Line train of the Kyoto subway to Keihan Hamaotsu Station. From there transfer to the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line to Shimanoseki Station.
From Yamashina Station in Kyoto there are JR trains to Otsu Station or Keihan trains to Hamaotsu Station.
For a full listing of Kyoto Museums & Art Galleries click here
Entrance, Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion, Japan
Neighborhood floats, Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion, Japan
Entrance plaza, Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Pavilion, Japan
