Satomi Kakashi Festival

The Satomi Kakashi Festival celebrates the traditional Japanese scarecrow (kakashi), long regarded as a symbol of agriculture and a guardian of rice fields. Unlike many scarecrow festivals in Japan, Satomi Kakashi Festival is notable for the large number of handmade scarecrows submitted by local residents and visitors from across the country. Each year, participants create original scarecrows with rich and expressive designs, many of which are entered into a contest.

For 2025, the Grand Prize in the general category was awarded to “70-Year Godzilla”, the Mini Kakashi Grand Prize went to “Good at Raising Kids”, and the Student Kakashi Grand Prize was awarded to “Delicious Rice Balls of Hitachi‑Ōta”. Visitors can vote for their favourite scarecrows during the exhibition, with the most popular entries receiving local specialty products. Voters are also entered into a lottery for a chance to win local products. Results will be published on the festival website.

During the festival period, additional events are scheduled:

• 7th Satomi Kakashi Music Festival: October 25‑26, with performances at Satomi Fureai-kan Event Plaza and Ōnaka Shrine, featuring live music and stage shows.

• 2025 Satomi Autumn Taste Festival: November 1‑2, featuring local food, drinks, and specialty products, along with performances and interactive events.

The festival showcases creativity and seasonal themes, with scarecrows reflecting both traditional and modern influences. Visitors can enjoy the handmade charm of each scarecrow and the natural scent of straw while exploring the event grounds.