Hozuki Matsuri

On the 3rd weekend of July each year, a festival is held in celebration of the mysteriously beautiful “Hozuki” red Chinese lantern plant in the small suburb town of Ushita in Hiroshima city, Japan. Located a short bus ride (#6) from the city center, this festival is held along the pedestrianized main street in front of Ushita elementary school.  Although many of the city’s main festivals are held around this time of year this smaller festival has a fun, relaxed and friendly vibe.

Many of the festival goers wear Yukata summer kimono in the same fashion as the larger Tokasan or  Ebisu-ko festivals, but you will find it much easier to get through this suburban crowd and the lines are not half as long for games, drinks and food. There are also performances held at the different ends of the street. At the last festival, one stage had hip-hop dancing and Taiko drumming performances as well as a children’s Yukata contest. The other end didn’t have a raised stage, but live bands were playing in a roped off area. One classic 50′s rock n’ roll had the crowd jumping and dancing along with them- it was great fun.