Festive Floats Parade Through a Retro Townscape Ome City – Ome Grand Festival
Event Period:May 2–3
Venue:Ome City
What is the Ome Grand Festival?
Located about a three-minute walk from Ome Station along the historic Ome Kaido road, Sumiyoshi Shrine is a historic shrine founded in 1369 after being invited from Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka. It has long served as the guardian shrine of the old post town of Ome-juku.
The origins of the Ome Grand Festival date back to 1513, when the shrine buildings were renovated during the Sengoku period. To celebrate the reconstruction, five local neighborhoods held a festival, which is said to have become the beginning of today’s event.
With more than 500 years of history, the Ome Grand Festival is one of the region’s most traditional celebrations. On May 2, during the Yoimiya (eve festival), twelve neighborhood associations pull elaborately decorated festival floats (dashi) adorned with intricate carvings and lanterns through their respective districts.
The Excitement of “Kenka Bayashi”
The festival music of Ome is sometimes called “Kenka Bayashi” (fighting festival music). When floats pass each other, they approach as closely as possible while musicians and dancers perform in lively competition.
This dramatic performance, known as “Hikkawase,” becomes the highlight of the festival. As it begins, the people riding the floats and the crowds surrounding them unite in excitement, and the energy of the festival reaches its peak.
Throughout the festival, traditional music echoes continuously around Ome Station. One of the most spectacular moments is when all twelve floats gather near the station, creating an impressive and vibrant scene.
A Festival Rich in History and Tradition
Along Ome Kaido, visitors can also see eleven “Ibayashi” performance stalls. Here, musicians play flutes, metal percussion instruments called kane, and drums while performers present pieces inspired by traditional Noh theater, including sections known as kuse and mai. Each group presents its own distinctive musical style.
At the meeting halls of the five original parish neighborhoods, visitors can view festival float dolls depicting figures from mythology and history. These dolls were created from the Edo period to the early Meiji period and are notable for their magnificent costumes. They were originally displayed on top of the floats, but after overhead power lines were installed, they began to be exhibited within the neighborhoods instead.
The Ome Grand Festival is a major event that reflects the city’s long history and cultural traditions. Each year, about 200,000 visitors attend over the two days. It is also a festival highly recommended for international visitors.
| Event Period | May 2–3 |
|---|---|
| Address | 12 Sumiecho, Ome City, Tokyo |
| Website | |
| Access | 3-minute walk from Ome Station on the JR Ome Line |
| Discover more about the Tama region | https://at-tama.tokyo/lang_en/ Photos courtesy of Takako Shigegaki |
