On Saturday, September 12, 2026, the "Waraji Festival," a traditional event that has been passed down in the Namikiri area for generations, will be held around the Namikiri Fishing Port in Namikiri, Daio-cho, Shima City.
The "Waraji Festival" is a traditional event based on local myths, in which prayers are offered for safety at sea and a bountiful catch.
In addition to historical Shinto rituals, various events are held that the whole community can enjoy, including activities for children, stage performances, and a fireworks display.
The Waraji Festival originates from a legend in which the villagers made giant straw sandals to drive away a one-eyed, one-legged giant called Dandaraboushi (Dandarabochi) who was ravaging a village.
In the "Warajihiki Shinto Ritual" held in honour of this story, local children play the role of young boys and parade through town pulling large straw sandals the size of a tatami mat, carrying them out to sea and praying for safety at sea and a good catch.
This ritual is rare nationwide, and its historical value was recognized, leading to it being designated as an intangible cultural property of Mie Prefecture in 46.
Long ago, on Iyagashima (now Daiojima), off the coast of Nakiri, there lived a creature called "Dandaraboushi" who would cause storms and ravage villages.
It is said that the villagers, with the help of Iya Gongen, the god of waves, used large straw sandals, sardine nets, giant baskets and other items to make the villagers believe that there was a being greater than themselves in the village, and thus drove away the Dandara-boshi.
| Date | 2026/9/ 12 (Saturday) *In case of rain, the event will be postponed to Sunday, November 13nd |
| Event Time | 9:00~21:00 |
| Venue | Nakiri, Daio-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture Around Namikiri Fishing Port, event plaza, etc. |
| _ _ _ | Waraji-zukuri |
| 9/7 | Straw Sandal Pulling Ritual |
| 9/11 | Sumo Tournament |
_ _ _ | ・9:30 AM - Junior high school students' portable shrine procession ・10:00 AM - Foodie Market Stalls ・10:00 AM - Treasure Ship and Dancer Procession ・10:00 AM - Sea kayaking experience (morning session) ・11:20 - Children's dance performance ・11:30 AM - Skipjack tuna pole fishing experience ・12:00 - Youth group portable shrine procession ・13:00 - Kids' fish catching activity ・13:30 - Sea kayaking experience (afternoon session) ・14:30 - Purification ceremony, straw sandal pulling, and shrine maiden dance ・15:30 - Straw sandal floating ceremony ・17:15～ Waraji Festival Stage ・20:00 - Waraji Festival Fireworks Display |
*Please note that the time may change due to the event schedule.
On the evening of Saturday, September 12th, the "Waraji Festival Stage" will be held on a special stage set up around the Namikiri Fishing Port.
Under the theme of "Resonating, Dancing, and Coloring," a variety of performances will be presented, including taiko drumming, dance, and calligraphy performances.
Enjoy the stage created by the entire community working together under the twilight sky.
17: 15 to 18: around 30
・Soran (Mishimayama Taiko)
• Calligraphy performance (Tomoko Oguchi's studio)
• Dance (Club Shima Dance)
・Drums (Mishimayama Taiko)
*The times are approximate and may change depending on the progress.
The festival will conclude with the "Waraji Festival Fireworks Display" starting at 20:00 PM.
After enjoying traditional Shinto rituals and local events, please enjoy the fireworks that light up the night sky.
The "Waraji Festival" offers a full day of enjoyment, from traditional culture and local performances to hands-on events and fireworks.
Please come visit Daio-cho Namikiri with your family and friends!
