Sensational Summer Fun in Kuwana: Kuwana Ishidori Matsuri
From cool summer sweets to samurai swords and Japan’s loudest festival, Kuwana City has a treasure trove of activities and treats to check out this season.
Written by Lisa Wallin
Living It Up Loud: Kuwana Ishidori Matsuri
Nothing says summer in Japan like a traditional festival. In Kuwana City, Kuwana Ishidori Matsuri is one of the biggest events of the season. It is a festival of Kuwana-sousha Shrine, held every August. It is said to have started in the early Edo period (around the 17th century) and is still a major highlight.
Starting at midnight and going until dawn, about 40 festival floats — each one representing a local area in the city — parade through the streets, accompanied by the clang of dish-shaped kane bells and the heavy rhythmic beats of taiko drums. The clamorous atmosphere is such that Kuwana Ishidori Matsuri has been crowned “Japan’s noisiest festival.”
That’s not the only title it holds, however. It is also designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Japan, as well as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition (as one of the Yama, Hoko, Yatai float festivals in Japan).
One of the biggest draws to the event takes place on the evening of the second day: all the festival floats gather in front of Kuwana-sousha Shrine in a row. Then, from 6:30 PM, each float does a solo performance by beating taiko drums and banging the bells in a passionate display of worship. Each display is a musical offering dedicated to the gods of the shrine.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kuwana Ishidori Matsuri was canceled in 2020 and 2021, but it will return with a bang in 2022. Normally held on the first Sunday of August (with festivities starting on the Saturday), this year it will take place on August 6 and 7.
If you’re here for the festival — or even if you’re just stopping by for some summer fun earlier or later in the season — check out these other activities to keep you cool.
Legendary Muramasa Swords: The Kuwana City Museum
One of Kuwana City’s most famed artisanal crafts is the Muramasa sword. In the 16th-17th centuries, the Muramasa school of swordsmiths was active in this region. Their legendary swords were highly sought after by warlords and samurai for their sharpness and balance. If you want to see these brilliant swords in person, head to the Kuwana City Museum.
Here you’ll find special exhibitions —sword-related and others — throughout the year. Visitors will also find space showcasing swords on the second floor, so you may have a chance to see the Muramasa swords. Exhibited swords are changed regularly (about once a month), so there is always a reason to come back. Besides swords, the museum also has a wonderful collection of traditional Mie Prefecture pottery called Banko-ware and other local crafts.
Keep It Cool!: Kuwana Shaved Ice
Summer in Kuwana City is no joke: the city often reaches some of Japan’s highest temperatures in this season. However, staying cool doesn’t have to be a chore. Kuwana is home to Japan’s top manufacturer of commercial shaved ice machines, which means there are a slew of shops serving delicious shaved ice all summer. And since 2021, the city has started an event called Kuwana Shaved Ice Road, making it even more fun to hunt down shaved ice treats here. Here are three recommendations to get you started:
Shirozakeya Mosaburo
Right next to Kuwana-sousha Shrine, Shirozakeya Mosaburo is a shaved ice shop that is often frequented by locals — especially during Kuwana Ishidori Matsuri. One of the most popular menu items is the Matcha Kintoki Cream Milk shaved ice. The ice is fluffy and light, which makes a great contrast to the rich taste of the matcha and the sweetness of the adzuki beans and ice cream. Since the owner hails from a Kuwana tea shop, it comes as no surprise that the green tea used is of superior quality. The “kanjuku series” — shaved ice with fruit toppings — is also a hit, and there are new flavors planned for later this year.
FRUITS SNOW.
You’ll find FRUITS SNOW., which opened in 2018, near the entrance to the Kuwana Teramachi-dori shopping street. It specializes in shaved ice with fruit and takes this preference seriously: the store’s concept is to serve shaved ice without water or syrup. The Strawberry Milk Shaved Ice is a year-round favorite here and it is so smooth it almost feels like ice cream. Fruit options change with the season, so there’s always a new treat to try.
Tado Green Farm
This sightseeing farm is located in Tado Town, Kuwana City, about 10 minutes by car from the Kuwana interchange. You’ll find 24 types of strawberry cultivated here, including the Mie Prefecture variety, Kaorino. It’s a popular spot for strawberry picking, as it is one of the largest in the Tokai region. It’s worth the trek here to try the “kudamono-kezuri,” a new type of shaved ice that is made by shaving frozen fruit. Obviously, the strawberry version is the most sought after. Because it’s made of frozen fruit, it’s fragrant, flavorful, and delightfully crunchy and cool.