Sawara Taisai: Sawara

Overview

Sawara Taisai consists of summer and autumn festivals that look back 300 years, to a time when Sawara, in Chiba Prefecture, was a vibrant cultural center. Large floats, featuring motifs such as carp and falcons, are paraded through the streets. Each belongs to a different local district, which take turns managing the festival and coordinating float movements. Every three years, a handover ceremony is held to mark the change. The festival has been certified as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.