Nanki Shirahama Sand Sculpting Competition (Shirahama)
This event, which began in 1968, has teams competing to create sculptures out of Shirahama’s famous white sand. Each team of 10+ participants has 10 square meters to create their sculpture, and they have until midnight to finish. The winning team is eligible for prizes between 50,000 and 100,000 yen! Canceled in the event of rain. For more information contact the Shirahama Promotion Committee at 0739-43-5511
Tanabe Matsuri (Central Tanabe)
With over 450 years of history, this event coincides with the annual festival of Tokei Shrine which helps ring in another year of prosperity for merchants of the town. Eight “okasa” – long poles representing the eight old merchant areas of the town are paraded through the city. It is said to be one of the largest religious festivals in the Nanki Region. The festival, which spans two days, has lots to see and do. Please see the official website for a detailed schedule.
Benkei Matsuri (Central Tanabe)
This year marks the 28th annual Benkei Matsuri which is filled with many exciting cultural events. Each year a citizen is chosen to dress and perform the Legend of Benkei, a mythical warrior monk who is said to came from Tanabe. In addition to live performance, one can watch the Geta-Odori (dance in traditional wooden sandals) and even join in! There is a ‘yosakoi’ dance festival, farmers market, food stalls, and mochi toss event. Don’t miss Tanabe’s annual fireworks display held on the final evening of the festival! For more information, reference the official website: http://www.kishu-benkei.com/
Early December to Mid-March
Sennin-buro | Thousand Person Bath (Hongu)
Bathe in an natural outdoor river onsen at no cost! Clothing optional.
Late January to Early March
Flower viewing at Kishu Ishigami Plum Forest (Greater Tanabe)
The Kishu Tanabe Ishigami Plum Forest – the birthplace of Kishu ume (plum) – is considered to be the largest plum blossom viewing area in Tanabe. It is said that one can take in the view of over 300,000 trees, and at full-bloom the scenery turns purely white. On Sundays and other holidays during the plum blossom viewing period, there are various events and the forest is full of visitors. At the highest point in the forest is Kishu Tenmangu Shrine, which holds ties to Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto. For more information, visit the Tanabe Tourism Website below.
http://www.tanabe-kanko.jp/midokoro/sizen/tanabebairin/
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