This traditional event is said to have begun about 750 years ago, in the second year of the Kōchō era (1262 AD). The two villages, Kamimachi and Shimomachi, are divided into the Tokugawa faction (Kamimachi) and the Toyotomi faction (Shimomachi). They take turns each year offering a large drum to Tsuzuko Shrine to pray for the expulsion of pests, rain, and a bountiful harvest.The sight of the procession marching through the settlements while beating several large drums is truly spectacular. Also not to be missed are the lion dance and the “Yaku” dance performed within the grounds of Tsuzuri-ko Shrine. The large drum registered in the Guinness Book of World Records in Heisei 1 measured 3.71 meters in diameter; the largest drum currently in use measures 3.8 meters in diameter.

July 14 [Evening Festival] 7:00 PM–

Procession / Dedicatory Performances (Lion Dance, Yaku Dance, etc.)

July 15 [Main Festival] 11:00 AM–

Hot Water Ritual (Harvest Divination) / Procession / Dedicatory Performances (Lion Dance, Yaku Dance, etc.) / Performances within the Village (Lion Dance, Yaku Dance)

*If you are coming by car, please use the parking lots at “Roadside Station Takanosu” or “The Great Drum Museum.”

Related Event: Kitakita City Takanosu Taiko Festival

Related Facility: Odaiko no Yakata