Enchanting melodies and vibrant colors await at Tachikawa’s grand festival
Basic Information
諏訪神社 is a Shinto shrine located in Shibazaki-cho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo, Japan.
- Address: 1-5-15 Shibazaki-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo 190-0023
- Phone Number: 042-522-5806
- Access: 10-minute walk from Tachikawa Station South Exit on the JR Chuo Line
- Festival Days: August 25th (Sun) to 27th (Tue), 2024
Main Events and Attractions of the Festival
The Tachikawa Suwa Shrine Festival is a vibrant and lively event that offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages.
Lion Dance
The lion dance is a traditional Japanese performance that is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The lion dance at the Tachikawa Suwa Shrine Festival is performed by skilled dancers who wear colorful lion costumes and move to the rhythm of traditional music.
Sumo Wrestling
Sumo wrestling is a popular Japanese sport that is often featured at festivals. At the Tachikawa Suwa Shrine Festival, local sumo wrestlers compete in a series of matches, providing an exciting and entertaining spectacle for spectators.
Food Stalls
No Japanese festival is complete without food stalls! At the Tachikawa Suwa Shrine Festival, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of delicious Japanese foods, including yakisoba (fried noodles), takoyaki (octopus balls), and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers). There are also many stalls selling traditional Japanese sweets, such as dango (rice dumplings) and taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes).
- Yakisoba: Stir-fried noodles with various toppings
- Takoyaki: Octopus balls cooked in a special pan
- Yakitori: Grilled chicken skewers
- Dango: Rice dumplings served with sweet sauce
- Taiyaki: Fish-shaped cakes filled with sweet red bean paste
Blessings and Deities
The Tachikawa Suwa Shrine is dedicated to the deity Take-minakata-no-kami, who is revered as the god of agriculture, water, and wind. He is also associated with good luck and prosperity.
- Take-minakata-no-kami: God of agriculture, water, wind, good luck, and prosperity
Origin and History
The Tachikawa Suwa Shrine was founded in 811 AD by the 52nd emperor of Japan, Emperor Saga. It is said that the shrine was built to enshrine a sacred spirit that was invited from the Suwa Grand Shrine in Nagano Prefecture.
- Founded in 811 AD by Emperor Saga
- Enshrines a sacred spirit from the Suwa Grand Shrine in Nagano Prefecture
Tips and Notes for Visitors
Here are some tips and notes for visitors to the Tachikawa Suwa Shrine Festival:
- The festival is very popular, so it is advisable to arrive early to avoid crowds.
- Wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring cash as some of the food stalls may not accept credit cards.
- Be respectful of the shrine and its surroundings.
Parking Information
There is no free parking available at the Tachikawa Suwa Shrine. However, there are several coin-operated parking lots in the surrounding area.
- No free parking available at the shrine
- Coin-operated parking lots available in the surrounding area
Popular Stalls and Food Carts in Recent Years
| Type of Stall | Description |
|---|---|
| Takoyaki | A staple at Japanese festivals. Characterized by a crispy outside and a creamy inside. |
| Jaga Butter | A simple yet popular snack of hot potatoes lavishly topped with melted butter. |
| Baby Castella | Small castella cakes, sweet and fluffy treats enjoyed by children and adults alike. |
| Grilled Ayu with Salt | Fresh ayu fish grilled whole with salt, a savory taste of Japanese summer. |
| Shaapin | A unique gourmet item influenced by foreign cuisine, with a chewy skin wrapping the filling. |
| Okonomiyaki | A Japanese grilled dish where you often choose your own ingredients for a personalized flavor. |
| Cotton Candy | A fluffy, sweet snack that’s extremely popular with children. |
| Chocolate Banana | A banana coated in chocolate, a fun and visually appealing dessert. |
| Kushiyaki | Various types of ingredients skewered and grilled, an easy-to-enjoy snack. |
| Yakisoba | Fried noodles mixed with a special sauce, a fast food favorite in Japan. |
