Toyooka Yanagi Matsuri is a 2-day summer festival that celebrates the area’s production of wicker baskets made from willow (yanagi), which was the start of Toyooka’s biggest industry. The festival is one of the largest in the region and has been a tradition since 1935. Come down for some dancing, food, performances, live jazz, and fireworks!
Day 1 (August 1st): In the evening, local companies, groups, and schools dress up in festival clothing and dance up and down the main street called Daikai-dori (the street leading up to Toyooka Station here). They dance to the town’s traditional obon song “Hanabi Ga Don!” The children dance first from 5:50 to 7 pm, followed by the adults from 8:10 to 10 pm.
Additionally, there will be a bag flea market and a women’s association’s bazaar on the street to the left of city hall from 12 to 9:30 pm. If you’re looking for even more festivities, there is an opening parade down Daikai-dori featuring rickshaws carrying temple priests, portable shrines, and locals playing traditional musical instruments.
Day 2 (August 2nd): The second day kicks off with food stalls, games, and performances from 3 to 9:30 pm outside of the Toyooka City Integrated Gym located here. Then, from 8 to 9 pm, fireworks will light up Toyooka’s skies to end the celebration with a bang! The fireworks will go off right behind the south middle school, located here.
Additional supported events during this time:
August 1st & 2nd, 4:30 – 9:30 pm: Yanagi (Willow) Night Market
Location: Kaban Street (located here)
August 1st & 2nd, 5 to 9:30 pm: Toyoda Tanabata Festival
Location: Toyoda neighborhood (this street)
August 2nd, 6:15 – 8 pm: Toyooka Twilight Jazz performance
Location: in front of Toyooka City Hall
