Jantokoi Uozu Festival

Every August, the coastal city of Uozu in Toyama Prefecture bursts into life with the Jantokoi Uozu Festival – its biggest annual celebration and a vibrant showcase of local tradition, artistry, and community pride. Spanning several days from the first Friday of August, the festival transforms the city into a stage for centuries-old customs, modern performances, and unforgettable summer scenes.

The Tatemon Festival – Towering Lantern Floats of Suwa Shrine

At the heart of the Jantokoi Festival is the Tatemon Festival, a grand ritual of Suwa Shrine and a recognismaed UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Held on the first Friday and Saturday of August, this event features seven towering floats - each about 15–16 meters tall and lit with over 90 lanterns - paraded through the streets on sled-like bases pulled by teams of up to 80 people.

These “tatemon”, said to resemble fishing boats or offerings to the gods, represent over 300 years of maritime prayer and devotion. With glowing lanterns and rhythmic chants echoing through the summer night, the Tatemon Festival is a powerful expression of Uozu’s identity and spirit.

Serikomi Chōroku

Closing out the main festival weekend on Sunday is the Serikomi Chōroku dance parade. Performed by over 2,500 participants waving fans like fluttering butterflies, this traditional folk dance blends elegance, energy, and deep cultural roots. Originating from goze musicians in the Edo period and later popularised as a Bon Festival performance, it now serves as one of Toyama’s most cherished artistic traditions.

The music - featuring the kokyū, a traditional bowed instrument - follows a structure inspired by ancient folk songs, while the dance itself symbolises joy, gratitude, and continuity of culture. Local schools even teach the choreography, ensuring future generations can carry on the tradition.

Fireworks Over the Sea

A festival favourite for over 50 years, the Uozu Sea Fireworks Festival takes place on the evening of Saturday. Around 2,000 fireworks are launched from barges off the Kurobe side of Uozu Port, creating dazzling reflections across the water. The open setting along Shinkirō Road offers breathtaking views and easy access to local food stalls at Umi no Eki Shinkirō.

As the final sparks fade, the Tatemon floats are pulled again - combining firelight and candlelight for a spectacle photographers and festivalgoers cherish.

UO! JAZZ

For those who enjoy a soundtrack to their summer, UO! JAZZ delivers a relaxing, seaside concert on Saturday. The main performances run from 5:00 to 9:15 PM, leading into the fireworks finale. Held in front of the “Horizon of Wind – Shinkirō” monument, the event features live jazz by local and national performers, with a free-entry open-air setting and optional premium seating.

Candle Road

Adding a soft, magical glow to the festival is the Uozu Candle Road, which winds through the city from Chūō-dōri shopping street to Suwa Shrine. Hundreds of candles light the streets, parks, temples, and shrines - creating a romantic, contemplative mood that invites exploration and reflection.

Kyoda Tanabata Festival

Capping off the Jantokoi celebrations is the Kyoda Tanabata Festival on August 7, a community-centred event in Uozu’s eastern Kyoda district. Its most memorable ritual is the “Sasa Yose”, where bamboo decorations from Tanabata are burned in a great bonfire while lanterns float out to sea.