HIRADO
Special Events
For centries the people of Hirado have treasured the blessings of the sun, sea and earth.Festivals and prayers of thanks remain an important part of our lives.
A harvest dance incorporating a variety of local traditions. The name derives from the “jan” jangling of the gongs and the “gara” of the small drums.
There are a total of 24 performances in the dance, including musical works and a dance with two naked swords. It describes confrontations between gods and demons, and various legends.
There is an old saiying that crying babies grow up healthy, and in this staring ceremony the first one to cry, wins. Held every February 3 at Saikyouji Temple.
The dance spread as a port song originally, with samisen and drum accompaniment.
The dance is said to have been started by the Hirai family, which fled to Suko Village in Saga prefecture from Oshima Island.
Said to have been started in 1850 in the Ogita district, based on a study of other furyu dances in the area.
Held from March 3 to April 3, dolls are on display through the city, including the Matsura Historical Museum, Hirado Castle and the Hirado shopping arcade. Enjoy a wide range of dolls, from the traditional dolls used by the Mtsura lords to dolls displayed by the general public.
| Event | Period | Place | |
| 1 to 3 |
Hirado Flounder Festival | Early Jan. to early Apr. | (Hirado area)Lodding and eating facilities |
| Kawachi Pass Bum-off | Early Feb. | (Hirado area)Kawachi Pass | |
| “Crybaby” Sumo | Feb.3 | (Hirado area)In front of the tower at Saikyoji Temple | |
| Hirado Hot Springs Hina Doll Festival | Feb.14 to March.14 | (Hirado area)City tourist sports,loading and shopping facilities. | |
| Tabira Camaellia Market | Sat. in late Feb. | (Tabira area)Tabira Civic Center,Hirado City. | |
| 4 to 6 |
Kigatsu Lantern Festival | Early Apr. | (Hirado area)Kigatsucho,Hirado City |
| Hirado Machiya Flower & Lantern Festival | Mid-to late Apr. | (Hirado area)Sites and shopping facilities throughout the city | |
| Tabira Spring Festival | Late Apr. | (Tabira area) | |
| Hirado Kaido Dokaijin Festival | May 3 to 5 | (Hirado area)Hirado Park | |
| Ikitsuki Spring Festival | Early May | (Ikitsuki area)Throughout | |
| 7 to 9 |
Tachiura Rowing Competition | Late July | (Ikitsuki area)Around Tachiura fishing port |
| Zheng Chenggong Festival | July 14 | (Tabira area)Maruyama Park,Hirado City | |
| Gawappa Festival | 2nd Sat.in July | (Tabira area)Tabira Civic Center,Hirado City | |
| Hirado Haiya Fujin Festibal(summer) | Early Aug. | (Hirado area)Hirado Port Exchange Plaza | |
| Tabira Summer Festival | Aug.17 | (Tabira area)Tabira Port area | |
| Tabira Jangara | Aug.14 to 18 | (Hirado area)9 districts throughout city | |
| Oshima Summer Fireworks Show | Mid-Aug. | (Oshima area)Oshima Village | |
| Hirado Haiya Fujin Festival(autumn) | Mid-Sept. | (Hirado area)Hirado Port Exchange Plaza | |
| 10 to 12 |
Hirado Kunchi Festival | Oct.24 to 27 | (Hirado area)Kameoka Shrine,Hirado City |
| Oshima Village Festival | Nov. | (Oshima area)In front of Oshima office | |
| Ikitsuki Isana Festival | Nov. | (Ikitsuki area)Fishing port plaza | |
| Tabira Nakaze Grasslands Cross-Country Race | 2nd Sun.in Dec. | (Tabira area)Nakaze grasslands | |
| Aranabe Festival | Mid-Oct. to late Dec. |
