Otsu Festival Parades Elaborate Floats Following UNESCO Recognition

Oct 11, 2026 | News On Japan

SHIGA - The Otsu Festival, one of Shiga Prefecture's three major traditional festivals, was held in Otsu City on October 11th, featuring a procession of 13 elaborately decorated floats carrying traditional mechanical puppets through the streets, following the festival's addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December last year.

The festival's hikiyama floats, adorned with luxurious embroidered curtains and intricate ornaments, paraded through the city accompanied by traditional festival music. Each float features karakuri mechanical puppets, which perform elaborate movements using mechanisms developed by Japanese craftsmen centuries ago.

The float procession is the centerpiece of the Otsu Festival, an annual celebration associated with Tenson Shrine that dates back approximately 400 years. The festival is regarded as one of Shiga Prefecture's three major festivals and is known for its richly decorated floats and distinctive mechanical puppet performances.

The festival's float procession was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2025, recognizing its cultural significance and the preservation of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and festival customs.

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Otsu Festival Parades Elaborate Floats Following UNESCO Recognition

The Otsu Festival, one of Shiga Prefecture's three major traditional festivals, was held in Otsu City on October 11th, featuring a procession of 13 elaborately decorated floats carrying traditional mechanical puppets through the streets, following the festival's addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December last year.

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