Osaka's Danjiri Festival: The Most Dangerous Festival in Japan? This video [2019 Danjiri Festival's Accidents and Unexpected Events]（令和元年　だんじり祭り　事故＆ハプニング集） is a video summarizing events that took place during Osaka's traditional Danjiri Festival. During the Danjiri festival, Danjiri festival floats are pulled along the streets at amazing speeds. They fly past the front of people's homes at full speed grazing street lights and barely avoiding crashes but unfortunately accidents do occur from time to time. This video contains a collection of exciting footage from the Danjiri festival, including accidents and other shocking scenes. Please enjoy the thrilling footage! What Is the Danjiri Festival? Source :YouTube screenshot The Danjiri festival is a traditional religious festival held in Kishiwada, Osaka in the Kansai region of Japan. It dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868AD) and originates from the shrine lanterns of the time. There are several Danjiri festivals held in the central area of the Kinki region of Japan: Kishiwada Danjiri Festival, Haruki Danjiri Festival, Kobe Danjiri Festival and Sakai Danjiri Festival to name a few. The Danjiri Festival is held every year to pray for a good harvest and attracts many viewers keen to take a look at the exciting event. The wooden floats decorated with beautiful carvings are pulled around the town on ropes and considered by many to be works of art. Accidents Are Unavoidable During the Festival? Source :YouTube screenshot Accidents and unexpected events happen almost every year during Osaka's Danjiri festival. This video contains footage of the festival floats toppling over, crashing into lamp posts and other dangerous accidents due to the high speed they are being pulled around at. A method called "Yarimawashi" (やりまわし) used to help the floats turn right-angled street corners at high speed is one of the most thrilling and suspenseful moments of the festival. Accidents are particularly prone to happening on rainy days or during the darker hours of the evening. This can be seen at 2:57, 3:18, 6:23 and 8:14 in the video. Some years accidents are so dangerous that they have unfortunately resulted in death. Source :YouTube screenshot The highlight of this video has to be at 13:36 when one of the floats crashes into a street light which breaks and falls over. You can feel just how terrifying that must have been! Again at 14:50 you can see a float crash into a street curb and topple over. There are also many moments when the floats shake violently from side to side and come close to toppling over, occasionally actually falling over in front of spectators. Attending even as a spectator can put your life at risk! As you've probably noticed from the video at 5:45, 6:45, and 7:08, those pulling the floats cannot let go of the ropes even if they fall over and as a result end up being dragged along the street. The reason being, is that there is a danger of being trampled by the float if one let's go of the ropes, therefore there is a rule that one must hold onto the rope no matter what. Danjiri Festival Summary Source :YouTube screenshot We hope you enjoyed our video compilation of the thrilling events that take place during the Danjiri fesival. With serious accidents being a regular occurrence, it's safe to say that the Danjiri festival is one of the most dangerous festivals in Japan. Even so, every year many visitors come to watch and take part in the festival. There are many food stands and the large number of spectators make this is a very lively and exciting festival! ◆Kishiwada Danjiri Festival Introduction Summary◆ 【Event date】Every year in the middle of August 【Access】JR Kishiwada station (JR岸和田駅, JR Kishiwadaeki) or JR Haruki station (JR春木駅, JR Harukieki) 【Official Website】Kishiwada Danjiri Festival https://translate.google.co.jp/translate?hl=ja&sl=ja&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.city.kishiwada.osaka.jp%2Fsite%2Fdanjiri%2F 【Tripadvisor】Danjiri Festival (September festival) https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1023471-d10019374-r362673132-Danjiri_Matsuri_September-Kishiwada_Osaka_Prefecture_Kinki.html

The Otaue Rice Planting Festival at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine: Video Introduction This video, titled "Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine's Otaue Rice Planting Festival" (大阪・住吉大社「御田植」 3年ぶりに歌や踊りも披露), was uploaded by KYODO NEWS. The "Otaue Shinji (rice planting ritual)" is usually held on June 14 to pray for a bountiful harvest. It was suspended after the Corona disaster, but will be restored in 2022. The video shows how the "ueme" (rice planting maidens) receive the seedlings from the gods and how the farmers plant them in the paddy fields on the shrine grounds, as well as the samurai event and the dancing of the yaotome maidens. Be sure to check out the footage of the Otaue Festival held at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in the video. The Otaue Rice Planting Festival of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine: History, Etc. Photo：The samurai procession during the Otaue Rice Planting Festival at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka, Japan The history of the rice planting ritual held at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is long, dating back to the time when the legendary Empress Jingu was enshrined at the shrine, according to legends. It appears that the festival was held on a large scale as well, as there are records of performing arts such as sarugaku and dengaku being performed during the Kamakura period (circa 1185-1333 A.D.). Although the festival was in danger of being discontinued during the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912 A.D.), it has continued to survive to the present day and has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the government of Japan. It's also known as one of the three major rice planting festivals in Japan, along with the festivals held at Katori Jingu Shrine and Izawa no Miya Shrine. The rice planting festival of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine has many highlights. The first is the dance performed in the center of the rice field by the yaotome. Eight Yaotome dancers dance around an umbrella to the accompaniment of songs sung by the priests. [Video] 0:06 - Yaotome Dancing There is also a samurai procession, in which brave warriors in armor appear. It is said that the warriors prayed for the longevity of their military fortunes, and the highlight of the festival is the warriors showing off their military prowess. The event is also believed to be a prayer to ward off evil spirits. [Video] 0:18 - The Samurai Procession The children can also be seen performing the traditional rice planting dance and songs for the first time in three years, reviving one of the highlights of the festival. [Video] 1:09 - The Rice Planting Song and Dance Another highlight of the festival is the Sumiyoshi Odori dance, performed in unique costumes to the sound of tapping umbrella handles. Deities Worshipped at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine Photo：Hatsutatsu-mairi, a visit to four shrines, at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is said to have been established approximately 1,800 years ago. The shrine was originally built by Empress Jingu upon her safe return from the Silla (an ancient Korean kingdom) invasion. It is also known as the head shrine of the more than 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan. The three deities of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine are Sokotsutsuno-o no Mikoto, Nakatsutsuno-o no Mikoto, and Uwatsutsuno-o no Mikoto. Amaterasu and Empress Jingu are also enshrined here as well. These gods were born when Izanagi no Mikoto cleansed the land. These deities are said to have been born when Izanagi no Mikoto performed misogi (A Shinto water purification ritual), and are said to protect against all kinds of misfortune by purifying the body and mind. Many Japanese shrines use dragons as motifs for their handbasins, but Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine uses rabbits. There is also a "nade-usagi" (petting rabbit) made of stone on the shrine grounds that can be stroked to pray for good health. The origin of this festival is said to be that Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine was founded on the first day of the first month of the year of the hare in the year of the "Kano-tou" (the year of the hare). In the year of the Rabbit, the shrine is especially crowded with people. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine: A Power Spot in Osaka Photo：The light-heavy stone at Shumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is well-known by the people of Osaka and Japan's Kinki region. The shrine has been worshipped as the first shrine in the Settsu Province since ancient times, and is now regarded as one of the best power spots in Osaka. Power spots are places in Japan that are deemed sacred, and are said to be places where one can receive healing or blessings. Additionally, there are many good luck charms that can be purchased at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. One attraction at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the "Omokaruseki" (light or heavy stone), which will tell you if your wishes will come true, and a rare maneki neko (beckoning cat) wearing a kamishimo (formal samurai attire). It's very photogenic and many people come visit to take Instagram photos here. The Sumiyoshi Festival: A Unique Summer Festival in Osaka Photo：The portable shrine washing ritual of the Sumiyoshi Festival, Osaka The Sumiyoshi Festival is the last of the three major festivals of Osaka. It's a summer festival of Osaka that is said to begin with the Aizen Festival and end with the Sumiyoshi Festival. It's held as an annual festival of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, and the portable shrine procession is held on the last day of the festival. ●Mikoshi Arai Shinji (washing of the portable shrine) Mikoshi Arai Shinji is a ceremony to purify the portable shrine by sprinkling seawater on it prior to the portable shrine procession on the last day of the Sumiyoshi Festival. In the early morning, a special boat is launched with the cooperation of the local fishermen to pump the seawater. ●Nagoshi no Harae Shinji (summer purification ceremony) After the purification ceremony, visitors to the shrine, together with shrine maidens and children, walk through a ring of cogon grass to cleanse themselves of the impurities of the past six months. This is a ceremony to pray for good health for the remaining six months of the year. ●Mikoshi Togyo (portable shrine procession) Mikoshi Togyo is a ceremony held on the last day of the Sumiyoshi Festival. The portable shrine carries the spirit of Sumiyoshi Ookami in a portable shrine and parades along the road to Shukuin Shrine in the city of Sakai. Weighing nearly 2 tons and measuring 11 meters long, the sight of the extremely large portable shrine crossing Sorihashi Bridge is a heroic sight. When it arrives at the Shukuin Shrine, a purification ceremony is held. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine: Admission Fee, Hours, and How to Get There Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is located slightly south of central Osaka where major tourist attractions like Osaka Castle are located. The easiest way to get to Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is to take a train to Sumiyoshitoriimae Station. After arriving at the station, it's an approximately 3-minute walk to the shrine. From Osaka Station you can take the Osaka Loop Line to Tennoji Station, walk to Tennojiekimae Station (5 minutes) and then take the Hankaidenki-Uemachi Line (阪堺電気軌道上町線)—a streetcar—to Sumiyoshitoriimae Station (住吉鳥居前) (approximately 40 minutes). Admission Fee: Free Hours: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm (April to September), 6:30 am - 5:00 pm (October to March) ※The Souvenir shop is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Summary of Festivals at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine Various events and rituals are held at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. However, in the past few years, events and rituals have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now that travel restrictions have been lifted, the Otaue Rice Planting Festival at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is now able to include worshippers and we can once again see the splendid dances of the shrine maidens and heroic appearance of the samurai procession. Sumiyoshi Taisha's rice planting festival is held to pray for a good harvest and to ward off epidemics. If you're in Osaka around this time of year, be sure to stop by and see the festival. You're sure to be fascinated by the solemnity and splendor of the ancient Shinto rituals! 【Official Website】Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine 【TripAdvisor】Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Enjoy Sightseeing in Osaka, One of Japan's Major Cities! A large number of people go to Osaka for shopping and sightseeing. There are many tourist attractions and events you'll want to be aware of when you come to Osaka. This article will introduce "Osaka Prefecture Tourism PR Video," which will shed some light on the sights and sounds of Osaka. Don't miss out on this popular destination! A Look at Osaka! Source:YouTube screenshot The video, "Osaka Prefecture Tourism PR Video," is designed to promote the attractions of Osaka Prefecture to both Japanese and foreign audiences, and is characterized by its focus on events held in 2018. The 3 key points of the video are as follow: ・A video presentation of Osaka and the scenery of the area ・A wide variety of information about Osaka packed into a 4-minute video ・Knowledge about events in Osaka If you're going to Osaka with friends who are planning on going sightseeing in Japan, be sure to check this video out; you can use it to build your itineraries together. Events and Tourist Attractions in Osaka Prefecture Source:YouTube screenshot "Osaka Prefecture Tourism PR Video" features the Midosuji Autumn Party 2018 (Midosuji Runway), The Tower of the Sun at Osaka Expo Park, the Osaka Culture and Art Festival, and the Midosuji Illumination. First, let's take a look at the "Midosuji Autumn Party 2018 (Midosuji Runway)". This Midosuji Autumn Party 2018 (Midosuji Runway) was held in Midosuji, on the main street of Osaka, to promote the charm of Osaka both in Japan and abroad. Various celebrities, entertainers, and prominent figures also joined in to set the mood for the event. The main MC of "Midosuji Autumn Party 2018 (Midosuji Runway)" was Koji Imada, a famous Japanese comedian. Various shows and parades were held in Midosuji, and the main event was attended by Japan's leading comedians Masatoshi Hamada and Hitoshi Matsumoto, otherwise known as the comic duo "Downtown," who have been selected as ambassadors for the 2025 Osaka Expo. The excitement was turned up to 100! Next up is the "Tower of the Sun" at Osaka Expo Park. The memorial tower was built by artist Taro Okamoto as part of the theme hall of the Japan World Expo '70 And Osaka Expo held in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture in 1970. This tower still remains in the expo park even today. The interior of the Sun Tower, decorated with a variety of artworks and monuments, is open to the public. It's a facility where you can experience the essence of Taro Okamoto's famous phrase "Art is an explosion!" The Osaka Culture and Arts Festival became a hot topic of conversation when Junko Koshino, featured in the video, held the first fashion show in Osaka in 30 years. From traditional performing arts to modern music, art, and F1 cars, Osaka is packed with exciting content that is the pride and joy of the city. Last but not least is the "Midosuji Illumination." The total length of Midosuji, which was the venue for Midosuji Autumn Party 2018 (Midosuji Runway), is surrounded by fantastic, dream-like illuminations. The 4km-long illumination has been recognized as a world record and has become one of Japan's most popular events, celebrating its 10th year in 2018. In recent years, the Midosuji Illumination has become very popular among instagrammers. Summary of Osaka! Photo：Osaka As you can see, Osaka offers a variety of attractive sightseeing spots and events. If you are interested, be sure to check out the video and do some exploring. The Osaka Expo, which will be held in 2025, is an increasingly exciting tourist attraction! Don't forget to try some of Osaka's local gourmet food when you're in Osaka! Osaka's specialties include takoyaki (fried octopus), kushikatsu (cutlet skewers), and okonomiyaki (a savory "pancake" with various meat & vegetables of your choosing). Osaka Castle is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Osaka, and there's events to learn about history and culture of the area! Enjoy 100% fun in Osaka! 【Official Website】OSAKA CITY https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/enjoy/en/content_administration.html

The Hydrangeas of Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka: Video Introduction This video, titled "Osaka Walk - Kyuanji Temple Hydrangea in the pond 4K HDR Japan," was uploaded by "Osaka BlackCat." In Japan, hydrangeas blooms in June, the rainy season. This video shows the beautiful floating hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple—a temple on the Kansai Flower Temple pilgrimage—which can be seen each year in June. Please enjoy the photogenic sight of the colorful hydrangeas floating on the surface of the water, as well as the solemn beauty of the temple's rich natural setting. An Introduction to Kyuanji Temple, a Kansai Flower Temple Photo：Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka Kansai Flower Temples refers to a group of 25 temples in Japan's Kansai region that are famous for their flowers. Kyuanji Temple in Ikeda, Osaka, is the 12th temple on the list of Kansai Flower Temples and is a member of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Buddhism. Surrounded by nature, the temple grounds cover an area of 20,000 tsubo (16 acres), where beautiful scenery, such as hydrangeas, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, azaleas, and peonies can be seen throughout the year. Kyuanji Temple has a history of more than 1,200 years. In the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1598 A.D.), the temple was visited by the famous Japanese warlord and well-known hobbyist Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and has been loved by many visitors as a historic temple used for tsukimi (moon viewing) and tea ceremony. Shuin stamp collectors can pick up a special kirie shuin, available only during the rainy season. It features a hydrangea and the main deity of the temple, Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy). The artistic kirie shuin stamp is truly one-of-a-kind. In the fall, a shuin stamp with a design of autumn leaves is also available for a limited time, making it a must-visit spot for collectors. See the Photogenic Floating Hydrangeas in June! Photo：Hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka Kyuanji Temple has approximately 1,000 hydrangea plants of six different varieties planted on its grounds. The sight of the colorful purple, yellow, red, and blue hydrangeas floating on Gusokuike Pond is especially photogenic. The hydrangeas glistening in the sunlight are so beautiful that it's like paradise. [Video] 0:00 - Floating Hydrangeas The hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple begin blooming in early June each year, and the Ajisai Ukabe "Floating Hyndragea" event is held in mid-June, when the early blooming hydrangeas can be seen floating on the pond. The hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple can be enjoyed from mid-June to early July, an in 2022, they were at their best in late June. The blooming status is announced on the Kyuanji Temple Instagram (@kyuanji) from time to time. Be sure to check it out before visiting. Other Attractions at Kyuanji Temple Photo：Autumn leaves at Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka Kyuanji Temple is decorated with a variety of flowers throughout the year, but its highlights are not limited to hydrangea and autumn leaves. The large tower gate is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The roof of the gate has a unique appearance and is said to resemble a bird spreading its wings in preparation for flight. The Hall of the Reclining Buddha, a pagoda where the image of the reclining Buddha is enshrined, is decorated with relief sculptures of Buddha on the walls, creating a mysterious atmosphere. In the garden Koku-en, visitors can enjoy weeping cherry blossoms and other seasonal flowers. The entrance fee to Kyuanji Temple is 300 yen. [Video] 1:09 - Koku-en Garden How to Get to Kyuanji Temple in Ikeda, Osaka Since Kyuanji Temple is surrounded by nature, it is often thought to be in an inconvenient location in the mountains, but it's surprisingly accessible! From Ikeda Station, on the Hankyu Raolway, it's a 15-minute ride to the temple via Hankyu bus. If you're driving, the temple is located approximately 5 km (~15 mins) from Hankyu Ikeda Station. The temple has a free parking lot, but please note that during the hydrangea season, the free parking lot can fill up quickly. Things to Do Near Kyuanji Temple Kyuanji Temple is another temple located in a somewhat remote location. Because of this, you'll need to make your way back into the nearby city of Ikeda to find other things to do, but there's no shortage once you arrive. Here are a couple things to do nearby. Satsukiyama Zoo Satsukiyama Zoo is located approximately 20 minutes from Kyuanji Temple. The zoo is home to a variety of different animals, such as rabbits, wallabies, ponies, etc., and is a nice spot to see the cherry blossoms in Osaka in the spring. The zoo is also completely free to enter. Hours: 9:15 am - 4:45 pm. Shop hours are 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (Mon. - Fri.) and 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Sat. & Sun.) Closed: Tuesdays Admission Fee: Free CUPNOODLES MUSEUM Located 25 minutes from Kyuanji Temple and 20 minutes by train or on foot from Satsukiyama Park, the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM shares the story of cup noodles and how they came to be, as well as the life of Momofuku Ando, the inventor of cup noodles. There are also workshops inside the museum where you can make chicken ramen or make your own unique cup noodles package. Admission to the museum is free. Hours: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm (Last entry 3:30 pm) Closed: Tuesdays and Year-end/New Years Holidays. ※If Tuesday is a National Holiday, the museum will be closed the following day. Admission Fee: Free There are many more things to do in the area, so we recommend doing your research before visiting so you can build the perfect itinerary! Summary of Hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple Photo：Hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple, Ikeda, Osaka We hope you enjoyed this introduction to the hydrangeas at Kyuanji Temple. In the video, it was a beautiful sunny day with the sun shining through the trees, but hydrangeas bloom during the rainy season. If you plan on visiting Kyuanji Temple to see them, don't forget to bring rain gear. Summer is just around the corner once the rainy season ends, so consider visiting Kyuanji Temple in June. You can take some wonderful photos during your visit and share the traditional Japanese aesthetics on Instagram! 【TripAdvisor】Kyuanji Temple