A festival centred on a giant papier-mache fish, or guzu, paraded through the streets, danced with, and finally burned at Fuhashi Shrine, rooted in local legend.
The Guzuyaki Matsuri Festival is based on a legend of the god Onamuchi-no-kami who saved the town from a giant serpent that kidnapped local girls. The festival began in the Showa era. The serpent is represented by a large papier-mache fish, called guzu, which is carried by people in a parade through the streets. In the evening, a guzu dance is held in front of the JR Idobashi Station, and then the guzu is returned to the Fuhashi Shrine. The festival concludes with a burning of the guzu in the Shrine's precinct and the dance continues under the flames.
Nanao's festival honors samurai heritage through a dramatic parade of locals dressed in full armor and helmets, accompanied by traditional music and dance performances.
Ornate lacquered lanterns parade through Wajima's four districts, symbolizing the path for visiting deities, accompanied by taiko drums and portable shrine processions.
The Nagano Gion Festival celebrates Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the deity of storms and protection, through mikoshi processions at Yasaka Shrine near historic Zenkoji temple.
This Kaga shrine traces its origins to 585 when an imperial kami was transferred to the site, rising to prominence as one of the region's most historically significant sanctuaries.
Kanazawa shrine founded over 1250 years ago and dedicated to Hachiman, serving as a place of prayer for local lords and counted among the city's five great shrines.