Town of Ikata

Seto Events

April

Moo Moo Festival

In a field overlooking the Pacific Ocean, partygoers can enjoy a barbecue of Japanese beef, enjoy special local products, and compete in a grass sliding race. This is the perfect chance for people from the city to find out what country life is all about.

May

Gathering of the Sea

This event is held along the Uwa Sea shores, and offers plenty of activities for visitors to participate in: Team net fishing, seafood barbecues, bare-handed fish wrangling, and more. This festival is fun for the whole family.

July

Chirimen Festival

Chirimen is a kind of tiny sardine that is popular in across Japan. This festival features chirimen caught in the Uwa Sea, as well as other fresh, mouthwatering seafood from local waters. Elementary school-age children are invited to try their hand at catching chirimen right at the festival!

August

Seto Bridal Festival

Enjoy a Japanese beef barbecue, fireworks, and more in Seto's beautiful Suka Park. There is also a "Marriage Announcement" essay contest, in which the winning couple gets an actual wedding ceremony!

September

Shan Shan Dance

In the Edo period, it is said that a woman's corpse washed up on the shores of Oku, and that soon after the area was plagued with disasters and disease. The Shan Shan Dance was created to appease the woman's spirit, and has been practiced for the more than 300 years since. The name comes from the words "shan shan" that appear in the lyrics sung during the dance.

October

Autumn Festival

This festival celebrates the bountiful harvest collected in the fall.

Each area of Ikata puts on various local performances and entertainment. The Five Deer Dance, the Child's Dance, the Cow Demon, the Chinese Lion, and the Four Taiko dance, are all performed in their ancient splendor.