Kumano Hayama Taisha Shrine Annual Festival

On the night of February 6 every year at the Kamikura Shrine, which is located in the mountains where the gods of Kumano Sanzan descended for the first time, and climbed 538 steep stone steps. The courageous dance festival, in which the white-dressed children run down the stone steps with torches, is famous as Japan's oldest fire festival with a tradition of more than 1,400 years, and is also designated as a national designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Image courtesy: Sindong City Tourism Association

It is said that whaling flourished from around the 17th century, and whale dances occurred with the outbreak of whaling, and they danced on the shore in celebration of great fishing. The whale dance of Sanmazaki, also known as the "whaling dance", is an expression of the very style of whaling. It is composed of two types: "Tononaka Odori", which is a dance of a whale by throwing a net, and "Aya Odori", which is a form of dancing with only the upper body while sitting all the time, and throwing a harpoon to poke the whale. At present, it is a lively and courageous dance that is dedicated to praying for great fishing and nautical safety at the Sanrozaki-Hachiman Shrine Annual Festival, Gyosho (Sanrozaki Fishing Port). It was certified Japanese Heritage in 2016. Image courtesy of Shinomiya City

The first day will be a celebration ceremony for Xufu at Xufu Park. The second day (August 13) will be a fireworks display at the riverbed of the Kumanogawa River, with about 6000 rounds including Niagara and Mizukami Starmines.