On Sunday, October 4th, the largest fire festival in Mie Prefecture, the "Sōhei Matsuri" (Monk Warrior Festival), will be held in Mie Prefecture Onsen, Mie Prefecture. The stage will feature performances by Sōhei Taiko drummers, singing shows, and comedy shows. The main highlight is the "Kaen Mikoshi" (flaming portable shrine) parade through the streets of Yunoyama Onsen, a spectacular sight as the shrine burns brightly.
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Yunoyama Onsen has long been associated with legends, including the story of an injured deer healing in its waters and the tale of paper cranes offered as a prayer for love.
Yunoyama Onsen was discovered in 718 and has a 1,300-year history, surviving numerous disasters and wars. Its history is commemorated each October through the Warrior Monk Festival, honoring the brave warrior monks who protected local temples and shrines.
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Table of Contents
- How to Get to the Festival Venue & Parking Infomation
- 1. Preparations for the Sohei (Monk Warrior) Festival
- 2. Uocho Memorial Festival
- 3. Events on the Main Stage of the Sohei Festival
- 4. The Festival’s Highlight: The Flaming Mikoshi
- 5. The Festival Finale: A Spectacular Fireworks Display
How to Get to the Festival Venue & Parking Infomation
When attending the Monk Warrior Festival, traffic congestion occurs every year, so please use the free shuttle bus.
[Free Shuttle Bus Information] 17:00-19:00 (Outbound) 19:45-22:00 (Return) Temporary Sanko Yunoyama Onsen Station ⇔ Kintetsu Yunoyama Onsen Station ⇔ Aqua Ignis
1. Preparations for the Sohei (Monk Warrior) Festival
Preparations for the Monk Warrior Festival begin in August, with hotel and inn staff in Yunoyama Onsen starting the process. The "torch-making" process, which involves creating the materials for the flaming portable shrine, is passed down to the next generation, just like the festival itself.
2. Uocho Memorial Festival
Ahead of the Monk Warrior Festival, a "Fish and Bird Memorial Service" knife ceremony will be held at Mitake-ji Temple in Yunoyama Onsen. Twenty people, including the chairman of the Yunoyama Onsen Association and other innkeepers and chefs, will gather to perform a memorial service for carp. This is considered an important ceremony to express gratitude to fish and to recognize the interconnectedness of life.
3. Events on the Main Stage of the Sohei Festival
As dusk falls, the event begins, and numerous stalls create a festive atmosphere. The main stage features idol shows, comedy performances, Yosakoi dance, and Higashi Taiko drumming, and the festival's energy rises with the powerful performance of the main event, "Sōhei Taiko" (monk soldier drums).
4. The Festival’s Highlight: The Flaming Mikoshi
The highlight of the Monk Warrior Festival, the "Flame Mikoshi," departs from Sangoku-ji Temple. The blazing flames of the mikoshi paint the pitch-black night sky, and the shouts of "Seiya!" pierce through the darkness. In Yunoyama Onsen, enveloped in flames and shouts, the heroic figures of the monk warriors who once protected this land are revived.
As the "flaming portable shrine" makes its final ascent up the hill to the main venue, the crowd greets it with loud cheers. Upon arriving at the venue, the shouts of the bearers and the spectators become one, and the festival's excitement reaches its peak.
5. The Festival Finale: A Spectacular Fireworks Display
The grand finale sees a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky, brilliantly illuminating Yunoyama Onsen, as if to reward the modern-day warrior monks who bravely carried the 600-kilogram portable shrine. The warrior monk festival comes to a close with these fireworks, but the sound of camera shutters clicking continues long after as spectators try to capture the heroic figures of the bearers who gave their all until the very end of the festival.
The "Sōhei Matsuri" (Monk Warrior Festival), the largest fire festival in Mie Prefecture, is a tradition passed down through generations in Yunoyama Onsen. With drum performances, flaming portable shrines, powerful shouts, and magnificent fireworks illuminating the night sky, the sheer power and energy of the festival will surely create a memorable experience. Reflecting on the monk warriors who protected this land long ago, why not experience this passionate festival, brought to life by modern-day monk warriors, at Yunoyama Onsen?
For inquiries regarding the Monk Warrior Festival:
Yunoyama Onsen Association Tel: 059-392-2117 10:00-15:00
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