Festival fun far from the tourist traps
The author dressed up as Saito Dosan, also known as "The Viper of Mino".
At the time of this writing it is soon time for the yearly Tajimi Festival where people dress as figures from the past in this area. I was chosen to appear as Saitō Dōsan the last time. Saitō Dōsan (斎藤 道三, 1494 – 1556), also known as Saitō Toshimasa (斎藤 利政), was a Japanese samurai during the Sengoku period. This was a time of civil war in Japan, when cities burned while warlords fought to gain control over the country. Saitō Dōsan himself died in the Battle of Nagaragawa, Mino Province, fighting his own son. I was happy not to have to struggle under the weight of the samurai armor like those many of the other participants wore as we paraded around the city. My dress was actually quite comfortable and elegant.
It was quite pleasant to walk in the parade, waving at people who cheered me on. Interestingly, many of my fans seemed to be older ladies in their 80s or above. "Here he comes again," one of them shouted when I approached the place where she and a group of other ladies stood. The parade had turned and was on its way back to the city centre. It was a pleasant surprise indeed to have a fan club waiting for me.
It was quite pleasant to walk in the parade, waving at people who cheered me on. Interestingly, many of my fans seemed to be older ladies in their 80s or above. "Here he comes again," one of them shouted when I approached the place where she and a group of other ladies stood. The parade had turned and was on its way back to the city centre. It was a pleasant surprise indeed to have a fan club waiting for me.
Summary of narration: There are many festivals in Tajimi throughout the year, from the Summer fireworks (quite impressive for a countryside town!) to a variety of local festivals, many on the theme of pottery. Tajimi is located in the largest pottery production area in the world. The samurai warrior shouting at the crowd in the beginning is Mayor Furukawa, a man with a vision to bring many more foreigners here. In the end you will see several links to related videos, which we will introduce on this page.
Festival and Other Events calendar
Here below you will find a calendar which I have started to populate with events in Tajimi during the year. Click or tap on a day in the calendar to display a list of events for that day. You may need to scroll down to see them all. As you see, if you visit on the day of the Tajimi Matsuri there are plenty of other things going on, so you can combine with a museum visit, for example, or even bring your camera and get some shots to take part in the Festival Photo Competition.
the tajimi matsuri (festival)
The big event of the festival is the parade, where people dress up in historic costumes impersonating famous people in the region. It starts at the City Hall (indicated by the red sign in the map below), pass the Oribe no Jin event venue (green), continues down across the Toki River, turns back again past the south exit of Tajimi Station (pink), cross the river and finally arrives at its final destination back at the City Hall. Lots of people line the streets, cheering the parade participants.
During the Tajimi Matsuri, which is held for one day every year, a large number of events are taking place around the city apart from the parade. We have summarized them in the table here below.
Food and drink: Why not try the street stall yatai (ja: 屋台) venue (indicated by the brown sign on the map here below) . Otherwise you can try eel, which is cooked Kansai style here in Tajimi. We have put up a video and links about eel in Tajimi here. And why not visit the famous Yaburegasa izakaya in the evening? Very crowded, but you can try to get a seat if you arrive very early before the reserved tables are occupied. Or, if you speak some Japanese, call to make a reservation. Ask for some of the excellent local sake if you enjoy that type of alcohol. Read an article on the Michisakari brewery here.
Food and drink: Why not try the street stall yatai (ja: 屋台) venue (indicated by the brown sign on the map here below) . Otherwise you can try eel, which is cooked Kansai style here in Tajimi. We have put up a video and links about eel in Tajimi here. And why not visit the famous Yaburegasa izakaya in the evening? Very crowded, but you can try to get a seat if you arrive very early before the reserved tables are occupied. Or, if you speak some Japanese, call to make a reservation. Ask for some of the excellent local sake if you enjoy that type of alcohol. Read an article on the Michisakari brewery here.
Narration: The Tajimi Matsuri is held every year in November with a big Samurai parade. Participants impersonates famous samaurai in the history of the Mino region. Other groups include dance troupes and orchestras of various kinds. The parade starts at the City Hall and moves through the city passed the Station along a 2,5 kilometers long course. A multitude of related events are held. At the Omatsuri Square next to the station you can enjoy performances by traditional Japanese drum and dance troupes. The Oribe Team venue is located at Honmachi Oribe Street. Here you can enjoy live performances by artists painting on huge canvases among other things. Kids can try their hand at painting at the Kid's Art Corner.
Schedule |
Event |
Comment |
10.00 - 14.00 |
North Station Exit Matsuri Square |
Wide variety of performances. Japanese drum and dance performances are main attractions. |
10.00 - 15.00 |
Oribe's Camp |
Co-sponsored event "Oribe's Team" at Tajimi Bridge parking Yume Plaza. Live stage · Chibikko carpentry experience · Oribe tea house (handmade Zenzai or local Japanese confectionery) · Game corner ("Let's play in English" by the International Association - foreigners especially welcome here!) · a variety of crafts workshops (Christmas decorations, handbag painting etc.), a craft fair (Mamarche) and more! |
10.30 - 14.00 |
South Station Exit Matsuri Square |
23 different performances. Dancing acts are the highlights here. |
14.00 - 16.00 |
Parade of the Warring States samurai |
The Sengoku period (戦国時代 Sengoku Jidai, "Age of Warring States"; c. 1467 – c. 1600) is a period in Japanese history marked by social upheaval, political intrigue and near-constant military conflict. Many of the historical figures in the Mino region where Tajimi is located lived during this era, which saw not only war but also the birth of classical Japanese pottery as we know it today. |
Ichinokura pottery festival
Narration: Tajimi Pottery Festival is held in spring every year. Honmachi Oribe Street is lined with stalls, as well as the street next to the City Hall. Street performers entertain the festival goers. Very popular is the Creator's Market held in the Tajimi Ginza Shopping Archade, where young local potters display their wares. Shops also line the Nagase Shopping Street and the area in front of JR Tajimi Station. Somewhat further from the city centre the other main venue, Ichinokura Town, is another Mecca for pottery lovers. The main focus of the venue is the local art museum and Ichinokura Oribe Street.
tajimi chawan (tea bowl) matsuri
Event day: The closest Sunday to the Sports Day (This is is a national holiday in Japan held annually on the second Monday in October)
Venue: Tajimi Wholesale center (ja: 多治見美濃焼卸センター) Tajimi-shi, Asahigaoka 10
Access: Free shuttle bus service from JR Tajimi Station, 5 minutes by car from Chuo Highway Tajimi IC
Tajimi 's big autumn event! We erect stalls in the main street of Mino Naka Wholesale Center for Tajimi pottery trading companies. They sell Mino ware at very reasonable prices. They offer a 30 - 50% discount on the market price for Mino-yaki this day. Over 200,000 people from all over the country come to find deals. There is plenty of good food available as well, so people can take their time and enjoying shopping.
Venue: Tajimi Wholesale center (ja: 多治見美濃焼卸センター) Tajimi-shi, Asahigaoka 10
Access: Free shuttle bus service from JR Tajimi Station, 5 minutes by car from Chuo Highway Tajimi IC
Tajimi 's big autumn event! We erect stalls in the main street of Mino Naka Wholesale Center for Tajimi pottery trading companies. They sell Mino ware at very reasonable prices. They offer a 30 - 50% discount on the market price for Mino-yaki this day. Over 200,000 people from all over the country come to find deals. There is plenty of good food available as well, so people can take their time and enjoying shopping.
Tajimi summer festival
Minna de deryaa! Let's go all together! That is the slogan (in the local dialect tono-ben) for this festival, a colossal spectacle by the Toki river.
Event day: The closest Sunday to August 1st
Venue: By the Toki River between theu tōtoōhashi bridge and the Kuninagabashi Bridge
What you will see: About 3,000 pieces of fireworks exploding over the Toki River at night
Contact: Tajimi City Control Memorial fireworks display committee (Tajimi City Tourism Division) Tel 0572-22-1111
Tajimi Summer Festival Executive Committee (Tajimi City Youth Council) TEL 0572-23-5229
※ If the weather is unstable please contact the information dial (0180-99-3226).
Venue: By the Toki River between theu tōtoōhashi bridge and the Kuninagabashi Bridge
What you will see: About 3,000 pieces of fireworks exploding over the Toki River at night
Contact: Tajimi City Control Memorial fireworks display committee (Tajimi City Tourism Division) Tel 0572-22-1111
Tajimi Summer Festival Executive Committee (Tajimi City Youth Council) TEL 0572-23-5229
※ If the weather is unstable please contact the information dial (0180-99-3226).
Minoyaki (mino ware) matsuri
Venue: Tajimi Station and Oribe Street.
Directions to Oribe Street (Google Map)
Every year about 150.000 pottery fans gather in Tajimi to experience this festival. Famous potters are doing performances and it's a great opportunity to get close to the masters. In a countryside town like Tajimi it is infinitely much easier to make friends with people than in the mega cities of Japan. It is quite possible to make friends with the cities most famous potters, and the Pottery Festival is a great opportunity for this.
Directions to Oribe Street (Google Map)
Every year about 150.000 pottery fans gather in Tajimi to experience this festival. Famous potters are doing performances and it's a great opportunity to get close to the masters. In a countryside town like Tajimi it is infinitely much easier to make friends with people than in the mega cities of Japan. It is quite possible to make friends with the cities most famous potters, and the Pottery Festival is a great opportunity for this.
Narration: The Mino ware Festival is your chance to see and experience original Mino pottery. This festival is centered on Tajimi Station. Even those who can't go to see this fine pottery at the art museums have an opportunity to enjoy the sight of this world class pottery. The station is turned into a gallery where you can see Mino ware, including works by Tajimi potters recognized as Living National Treasures by the government. Famous Tajimi kilns display their Mino ware works here, and you can enjoy live performances by renowned potters like Hidetake Ando in the video here below. In the video can also see an exhibition of Mino ware in the nearby Toshin Bank building. Nearby the station is also Oribe Street, named after the famous Samurai who cherished the tea ceremony and contributed to the famous form of Mino ware pottery today known as Oribe.
the ceramic village festival, ichinokura
Event day: The Saturday of the first week of October
Venue: The Ichinokura Sakazuki Art Museum (main venue, English article here) and Ichinokura Town (4-10-chome, Ichinomakura-cho, Tajimi City)
What you will see: Autumn festival in Ichinokura Town. Kiln watching. Works from Sendaro kiln and other famous kilns at warehouse prices. A variety of events and performances in front of the Sakazuki Museum.
Access: Free shuttle bus from JR Tajimi Station
Contact: Ichinokura Ceramic Industry Cooperative Association Tel 0572-22-3719
Further details: Festival web site (Japanese)
