The Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

This is a video titled “【Official】Obama Montsuki Festival 2018" (【公式】小浜の紋付祭り2018), that introduces the Obama Montsuki Festival, a traditional Japanese festival in Fukushima Prefecture, created by Matsurism.

The Obama Montsuki Festival is a traditional Japanese festival passed down in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture in the Tohoku region.
In this article we'll introduce the charm, schedule, and highlights of the traditional Japanese event that has been passed down for generations in Fukushima prefecture.
Be sure to follow along with the video, as it has a lot of interesting scenes that you won't be able to see in the article!

The History of the Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

Source :YouTube screenshot

The Obama Montsuki Festival is a traditional Japanese festival held in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, during the consecutive holidays in October, and is an annual festival of the Shiomatsu Shrine tradition in the Obama district of former Iwashiro town (岩代町, Iwashiro-Cho).

It is said that the festival started with a parade of decorated Mikoshi (portable shrines) praying for recovery from the local famine that occurred in the Edo Period (1603 to 1868 AD).
The name "Obama Montsuki Festival" comes from the men wearing montsuki hakama (a formal Japanese attire of men with their family crest).
The Obama Montsuki Festival, a unique festival with 230 years of history, where festival participants dress in Montsuki Hakama, is definitely a festival that we recommend to tourists looking to see traditional Japanese festivals.

The Schedule for the Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture!

Source :YouTube screenshot

At the Obama Montsuki Festival, traditional floats, called “Taikodai,” are prepared from 4 towns.
The Ujiko of each town play the Japanese flute and drums while wearing the formal Montsuki Hakama, and walking around the town with traditional floats.
The parade of the floats is introduced at 0:26 in the video, and you can hear the sound of beautiful music resonating throughout the city.

The Obama Montsuki Festival is held every year on the first day of the consecutive holidays in October.
It starts with the evening festival “Yoi-matsuri,” followed by the main festival the next day, and the “Ato-matsuri” on the last day.
The main festival is regarded as the most important event at the Shiomatsu Shrine annual festival.
At the evening festival “Yoi-matsuri,” there's the Taikodai, and the main festival has a Mikoshi parade, Montsuki Festival, and lantern festival.
On the last day of the “Ato-matsuri,” there are lively events such as the water festival, and there's also a chorus.

How to Enjoy the Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

The Obama Montsuki Festival is held on a three-day holiday schedule including the October Sports Day.
Prior to this schedule, a traditional festival called the "Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival," is held in early October.
The Lantern Festival is a lively festival where seven Taikodai, decorated with lanterns, parade through the city.

Summary of Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

Source :YouTube screenshot

During the Obama Montsuki Festival, there are food stands along the roadside, so you can enjoy delicious Japanese festival food and the local Fukushima cuisine. Be sure to take some pictures of your visit to the festival. They'll look great on Instagram!

In the video, the local people talk about how the Obama Montsuki Festival is a festival made possible by the local residents working together, and about how lively it is.
In Japanese festivals, it's common for people to wear Yukata or Happi coats, but at the Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima, men participate while wearing Montsuki Hakama. Be sure to watch the video to see the sights of this rare festival!

【Official Website】Nihonmatsu City Hall Official Website
https://www.city.nihonmatsu.lg.jp/page/page002466.html

【Nihonmatsu tourism association 】Obama Montsuki Festival
http://www.nihonmatsu-kanko.jp/?page_id=2441