What Makes the Giant Dekayama Floats of Nanao, Ishikawa So Special? Experience the Seihakusai Festival in 4K

This video, titled "Seihakusai Festival – Dekayama Floats Parading Through Town｜2017 in 4K" (青柏祭 でか山が街を行く 2017 in 4K), was uploaded by "officeliquid."

It's a powerful 4K video of the Seihakusai Festival of Nanao, Ishikawa, in Japan's Hokuriku Region. At the Seihakusai Festival, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the largest floats in Japan, referred to as "Dekayama," are pulled through the streets of the city. The sight of the Dekayama going from one alley to the next is an incredible sight. The shouting of the crowds and the gentle May breeze make it feel like the festival is taking place right before your eyes, something that can only be achieved with such high-definition video. Enjoy the 3-minute video showcasing the Seihakusai Festival in Nanao, Ishikawa — a must-see early summer experience in the Noto Peninsula!

About Ishikawa Prefecture

Ishikawa Prefecture is located approximately 2.5 hours northwest of Tokyo via bullet train. It's bordered by Toyama, Fukui, and Gifu Prefectures, as well as the sea. Bordering the sea, Ishikawa is known for its delicious seafood, and is also home to a number of popular tourist attractions, including Kenrokuen Garden, one of the "Three Most Beautiful Gardens in Japan," and Kanazawa Castle, both of which are located in Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa. In addition, it's home to unique cultures and traditional crafts, such as Kanazawa Lacquerware, and Kanazawa Gold Leaf.

An Introduction to Festivals in Japan

Japan is home to thousands of festivals each year. The Japanese word for festival is "matsuri" (祭り), which comes from the word "matsuru" (祭る, to deify, to enshrine). The reason Japan has so many festivals has to do with Japanese culture and religion. Japan is said to be home to 8 million gods, and practically every area in Japan has a shrine that worships a particular god. Because of this, many shrines also have their own annual festivals, with different meanings and origins. There are seasonal festivals to pray for good harvests, bon festivals to pray for the souls of the dead, and even dance festivals showcasing traditional dances of a particular regions. There is a seemingly endless list of festivals, many of which are held near shrines or temples, and which often have food stalls, music, etc., for the enjoyment of participants.

Some of the most famous festivals in Japan are the Gion Festival of Kyoto, the Tanabata Festival of Sendai, and the Nebuta Festival of Aomori which features large, intricate floats.

Summer is particularly known to have a lot of festivals, thanks to the warm weather, so be sure to keep an eye out for them if you're visiting Japan during this time of year!

What Is the Seihakusai Festival? Unraveling the History and Origins of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage!

Photo：The Seihakusai Festival, Nanao, Ishikawa

The Seihakusai Festival is said to have been started as a national festival by Minamoto no Shitago in the Heian period (794-1185). Yoshimune, the third lord of the Noto Hatakeyama Clan, dedicated a float to the Seihakusai Festival, following the example of the yamaboko floats of Kyoto's Gion Festival, in an attempt to incorporate Kyoto culture into the festival, and this was the beginning of the Dekayama.

The Seihakusai Festival got its name from the fact that the food offered to the gods (shinsen) was served on the young leaves of an oak tree which are called "seihaku" (青柏) in Japanese. It's said that when people went to Noto, they paid a visit to Otokonushi Shrine and offered seihaku to the gods. The Seihakusai Festival is an annual spring festival held at Otokonushi Shrine.
[Video] 0:22 - The Large Dekayama Floats of the Seihakusai Festival

The Seihakusai Festival has a history of more than 1,000 years. In 1983, the Seihakusai Festival and its large floats were designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan, and in 2016, the events with the floats were registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages as well. The Seihakusai Festival in Nanao, Ishikawa is highly regarded both domestically and internationally as one of the most treasured cultural assets of the Noto Peninsula.

What Are the Dekayama Floats? Do You Know Their Surprising Size and the Ningyomi Doll Tradition?

"Dekayama" is the common name for the largest floats in Japan. The huge floats are 12 meters tall, weigh 20 tons, and have wheels which are 2 meters in diameter. They're pulled by people and are a powerful sight. However, the magnificence of Dekayama is not limited to their size. The stages and dolls depicting famous Kabuki scenes which decorate the front of the Dekayama are also a highlight of the festival. The stage is also decorated with a single young pine tree, which is used to pray for the gods' descent and for the eradication of disease and a prosperous life.

The puppets/dolls displayed on the Dekayama's stages are called "Ningyomi" (人形見) and are unveiled at a designated "Ningyoyado" (doll inn) in each town on the evening of May 2, where they can be viewed by the general public.
The Ningyomi dolls are a rare opportunity to see the Dekayama floats from up close. After the one-night exhibition, the newly created dolls go up on the Dekayama stages each year. The Dekayama are the stars of the show, giving a large-scale performance that allows visitors to experience the history and culture of the Noto Region.

What Is Tsujimawashi — the Must-See Highlight of the Seihakusai Festival? And What Do the Fireworks Signify?

Source :YouTube screenshot

The highlight of the Seihakusai Festival is the turning of the floats, which is called "tsujimawashi." To turn the floats, a special lever called an "Oteko," is wedged beneath the wheel to change the direction of the float. Seeing the tsujimawashi performed on the narrow streets of the city with an 8-meter-long lever is quite the show.

Young men climb on top of the Oteko and use leverage to lift the front wheel and turn the floats. The scene of the dangerous rotation of the floats is a spectacular sight to behold.

[Video] 2:35 - Young Men Riding on the Oteko as the Float Is Turned

The powerful Tsujimawashi can be seen from the night of May 3 to the night of May 5 at various locations in the city center.

Another highlight of the Seihakusai Festival is the fireworks. Unlike the fireworks you'd see at a typical summer festival, these serve as the signal for each of the three towns to begin pulling out their Dekayama floats. The first shot at around 8:30 pm on May 3 is for Kajicho, the first town to pull out its floats. The second shot goes off at 1:00 am on May 4, signaling Fuchu to pull out its floats, and the last shot goes off at 8:00 am on May 4 for Uomachi. Unlike the other two towns, only Uomachi has two fireworks signals, one at 7:00 am and the other at 8:00 am. The time of the fireworks may change, and fireworks may not be displayed on rainy or cloudy days. Please check local information and weather forecasts in advance.

When Is the Seihakusai Festival 2026? Where Is It Held, and How Do You Get There?

The Seihakusai Festival 2026 is held at Otokonushi Shrine in the heart of downtown Nanao, from May 3 (Sun) to May 5 (Tue/Holiday). On May 4, all three Dekayama floats will gather at Otokonushi Shrine, and on May 5, they will assemble near Noto Shokusai Ichiba and Sentai Bridge — a breathtaking sight not to be missed. The festival was cancelled in 2024 due to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, but in 2026, the Seihakusai Festival returns with full force to color the Noto spring once again.

The surrounding area will be very crowded during the festival period, and traffic regulations will be in effect from May 4 to 5. If you are traveling by car, nine temporary parking lots are available, including the Sodegae Parking Lot in front of City Hall. Free shuttle buses operate from select parking lots to the venue, with the last bus departing at 4:30 pm. A dedicated "Dekayama Location Service" also allows visitors to track the real-time location of the floats, as well as temporary parking lots and restrooms, directly from their smartphones. Be sure to check the City of Nanao's official website in advance for the latest information.

Can You Join the Seihakusai Festival 2026 as a Float Puller? Here's What You Need to Know About Participation

Source :YouTube screenshot

The Seihakusai Festival typically welcomes members of the public to join as float pullers, and the chance to help pull the mighty Dekayama with your own hands is one of the most memorable experiences the festival has to offer — going beyond simply watching to becoming a true part of the tradition.

For details on public participation in 2026, including any registration requirements, please check the official announcements from the City of Nanao or each town's organizing committee. During the Seihakusai Festival, many sightseeing events will also be held throughout the region, so be sure to enjoy them alongside the Dekayama procession.

3 Popular Japanese Festivals Celebrated in May

Here are 3 more festivals that you could consider checking out if you're visiting Japan during May:

Aoi Matsuri, Kyoto
Aoi Matsuri is festival with origins dating back 1,500 years. The festival features a large procession of 600 people wearing traditional clothing of Heian Period court nobles. The procession, the main event of the festival, takes place on May 15.

Sanja Matsuri, Tokyo
Sanja Matsuri is a festival held on the 3rd Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in May. It's one of the most famous festivals in Japan and attracts nearly 2 million spectators each year. The festival is held at the popular Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo and consists of musical floats, geiko (apprentice geisha), dancers, etc.

Kanda Matsuri, Tokyo
Kanda Matsuri is held at Kanda Shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It is one of the 3 major festivals of Tokyo. The festival's main event is a procession of around 500 people dressed in Heian Period attire that passes through Akihabara, the electronics capital of Japan.

Planning a Trip to the Seihakusai Festival in Nanao, Ishikawa? Here's Everything You Need to Know

The Seihakusai Festival is a spring festival that is regarded as one of the most representative festivals of the Noto Peninsula. The tradition of Hikiyama, which has been passed on since ancient times, is filled with the wishes of many people.

Before the Dekayama parade, the biggest highlight of the festival, be sure to visit the Ningyoyado, where you can see the elaborate dolls and decorations up close every year. It's an unmissable part of the Seihakusai Festival experience!

Nanao, Ishikawa is one of the most accessible tourist destinations, being only about an hour away from Kanazawa, which has many tourist attractions, by train or car. We recommend visiting here for a relaxing trip to enjoy traditional events, the delicious cuisine of the Noto Peninsula, and a variety of tourist attractions!