[Obama City] The first Obama Hojo Festival

2026.10.09

The Obama Hojo Festival is the largest autumn festival in the Wakasa region, with a history spanning over 380 years. Floats, large drums, Kagura (sacred dance), lion dances, and portable shrines parade through the town, and each district offers traditional performing arts. There are also special plans available for beginners, such as access to rest areas and opportunities to try pulling a float, making it a festival that tourists can enjoy with peace of mind.

I'm Yamada , a writer promoting the charms of the Tsuruga and Wakasa areas as part of the Fukui Prefecture Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team. I moved from Tokyo to Obama City , Fukui Prefecture in October 2025, and I've finally reached my one-year anniversary. One of the attractions of the Tsuruga and Wakasa areas is the festivals held in each region. These festivals have been passed down continuously for generations, conveying the unique history, culture, traditions, and feelings of the people of each region. Obama City has a large-scale autumn festival in September, which attracts many tourists. This time (September 19th and 20th, 2026) will be my first experience. I will be reporting on the Obama Hojo Festival from a tourist's perspective.

What is the Obama Hojo Festival?

The Obama Hojo Festival is the annual grand festival of the Yawata Shrine, located on Obama Obama in Obama City . The annual grand festival is the most important of the rituals performed annually (or regularly) at a shrine. It is held every year on the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding the third Monday of September (Respect for the Aged Day), and its history is said to span over 380 years. It is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukui Prefecture and is the largest autumn festival in the Wakasa region.

Highlights of the Obama Hojo Festival

The main attractions of the Obama Hojo Festival are the four types of performances: floats parading through the town, large drums, Kagura (sacred dance), and lion dances. In addition, there is a portable shrine. The performances are musical offerings dedicated to the gods. Influenced by the Kyoto Gion Festival, it inherits the character of sending away the plague gods (evil spirits that spread disease). The performances are given by people from the central part of Obama City(the 24 districts of the former Obama town). Half of them take turns performing, and the other half are off duty, on an alternating basis. Those on duty practice for about a month. Naturally, many people work during the day and practice at night. It is also not uncommon for people who live outside the area to return home for the festival and participate. You can feel that the festival is supported by the extraordinary efforts of the local people. At the festival, this passion of the community comes together, and Obama experiences two special days.

The 24 districts correspond to the former Obama town, and their names are derived from local shrines. Each district also has its own designated performance. For example, the "large drum" performance is given to all five districts, including Hirohime district. "Kagura" (sacred dance) is given to all five districts, including Kanda district. "Floats" are given to all nine districts, including Kiyotaki district. "Lion dance" is given to all four districts, including Tamasaki district. Even for the same performance, there are special versions with slightly different music and performance structures depending on the district. Discovering these differences is said to be one of the charms of the Hojo Festival.

[Large drum]

[Kagura]

[Float]

【lion】

In addition to the four types of performances, there is also a "mikoshi" (portable shrine). Originally, the mikoshi was meant to carry the sacred object of worship, but the Katori district acquired the mikoshi that originally belonged to Yawata Shrine and made it a part of the Hojo Festival performance. Once every two years, the sacred object of Yawata Shrine is carried in the mikoshi and paraded through each district of the parishioners.

[Portable shrine]

A parade that goes through the town

Each performance parades through the town, showcasing their art and music at various locations, including the 25 main headquarters set up in each district. The route is determined by each district, making it difficult for tourists to know in advance. The schedule is announced beforehand only when the performances enter the shrine. Since each performance is dedicated to the Yawata Shrine, waiting in front of the shrine is one way to watch. However, the schedule is subject to change. Although it is difficult to know the parade route of each district's performance, a service has been provided that allows you to check their location in real time using GPS. If you have a smartphone, you can use it.

Also, in the evening of the first day, the performances from each district gathered around the "Town Station" for the "Evening Gathering," where each performance group paraded together for a joint performance. As the performers and spectators all gathered in one place, this event was extremely lively.

Perfect for beginners! Special trial plan available.

Perfect for beginners! Special trial plan available.

This was my first time covering the Obama Hojo Festival, and I was completely clueless. My savior was the paid "Rest Area Viewing Plan."

Located within the Obama Townscape Preservation Museum, this facility is open all day (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and offers free entry and exit. A cool, air-conditioned rest area is available, and cold soft drinks are provided. A concierge is on duty to provide explanations about the festival and highlight its key features. It is also possible to leave your belongings (excluding valuables) there.

You can watch some of the performances being rehearsed right in front of the rest area. Yawata Shrine and Otokoyama Honjin are also nearby, making it easy to move between them. This is a recommended plan for first-timers looking for a comfortable viewing experience. The tours are offered on a daily basis, and you can choose whether or not to include lunch.

On the second day, a "Float Pulling Participation Experience Plan" was offered, allowing participants to experience the excitement and emotion of the festival as actual float pullers. The "Float Pulling Participation Experience Plan" and the "Rest Area Viewing Plan" can be used as a set, and this plan is also planned for next year. Information on these special experience plans will be posted on the Obama City official Wakasa Obama tourism website "Marutto Obama" and the Obama Hojo Festival official website, and applications will be made online. Please check them out.

Image of the Obama Hojo Festival Special Experience "Rest Area Viewing Plan"

Left) You can watch the practice session up close. Right) An air-conditioned room is also available.

This lunch-inclusive plan featured a popular bento box from Tobaya Vinegar Shop, a long-established business in Obama.

The Obama Hojo Festival takes place in mid-September. The heat still lingers, and watching the festival, which covers a wide area, requires stamina. Personally, I recommend researching rest areas in advance and establishing a base by staying nearby. Accommodations are said to be almost fully booked, so plan your trip early. I also hope to deepen my understanding of the Obama Hojo Festival and be prepared for the next time.

[Obama Hojo Festival 2026 Gallery]

[Obama Hoze Festival Official Website] https://hoze-matsuri.jp

[Obama City Official Wakasa Obama Tourism Website "Marutto Obama"] https://wakasa-obama.jp/news/obama-hoze-experience

*The information provided is current as of September 19th and 20th, 2026.

Yamada, Writer for the Tsuruga/ Wakasa Area, Fukui Prefectural Government Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team

We also share the charm of the area on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/tsurugawakasa_writer

I share glimpses of my life as a member of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team and behind-the-scenes stories from my interviews on note : https://note.com/reinan_writer53