Underwater Tug-of-War in Hiruga
The Mihama Hiruga Underwater Tug-of-War is held on the third Sunday of January. Young men from the town of Mihama hold a tug-of-war in a freezing cold river, as a traditional prayer for large fishing hauls in the coming year. The giant tug-of-war rope represents a sea serpent from a centuries-old folk tale, so the event is not complete until the rope has been ripped in two.
Both teams struggle in the water to pull it apart by hand, sometimes even using their teeth. Finally, the torn rope is sent out to sea, as an offering to the deities of the Sea of Japan.
5:00 AM - Rope Making at Inari Daijin Shrine (approx. 3 hours)
9:30 AM - Once the rope is ready, it is thrown from the bridge railing and attached. A "bountiful catch" flag is also attached simultaneously.
12:00 PM - Visit Unanishi Shrine to pray for a bountiful catch.
2:00 PM: Village youths dive into the river from the bridge railings and other points, dividing into east and west teams to pull and sever the rope.
- Area
- Wakasa
Information
- Event Period
- The third Sunday in January every year
- Venue
- Mihama Town, Hyuga
- Telephone Number
- 0770-32-6705
- Email Adress
- kanko@town.fukui-mihama.lg.jp
- Address
- 福井県美浜町
- Prices
- Free
- Website
List of Sightseeing and Experiences in Mihama Town (in Japanese)
