GIFU - Japan marked the final Sunday of October with traditional autumn events across the country on October 25, including a spectacular water discharge drill at the World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, a seasonal salmon feast in Miyagi Prefecture, and a parade of northeastern Japan's most famous festivals in Tokyo, despite widespread rain caused by a stationary autumn rain front.
At 8 a.m., sirens sounded across Shirakawa-go, signaling the simultaneous activation of approximately 60 water cannons installed throughout the village to protect its historic thatched-roof houses from fire.
The annual drill, held ahead of winter when the use of heating equipment and open flames increases, serves to check that the village's firefighting equipment is functioning properly.
As powerful jets of water shot into the air, the traditional gassho-zukuri houses, known for their steeply pitched thatched roofs resembling hands joined in prayer, were enveloped in a dramatic curtain of water.
Tourists gathered at an observation deck overlooking the village to photograph the spectacle, which takes place only once a year.
"It was a very magical and beautiful sight," one visitor said, while another described the experience as entertaining.
The drill has become a seasonal attraction at Shirakawa-go, drawing visitors eager to see the historic settlement transformed by towering streams of water.
Meanwhile, in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, crowds began gathering before 6 a.m. for a different autumn tradition, forming long lines to enjoy a local specialty made with seasonal salmon.
The attraction was harako meshi, a regional dish consisting of rice topped with autumn salmon and salmon roe. Organizers distributed 2,000 servings free of charge, attracting large numbers of visitors from early morning.
The event came during a particularly difficult year for the autumn salmon industry. Poor catches in 2026 have pushed procurement prices to more than three times their 2025 levels, making the seasonal delicacy considerably more expensive.
Visitors nevertheless enjoyed the traditional meal, with one saying, "You can really taste the salmon, and it's so good you can easily finish it even this early in the morning."
Across eastern and western Japan, the stationary autumn rain front continued to bring cloudy skies and rain to many areas on October 25, leaving much of the country under unsettled weather conditions.
Temperatures, however, rose considerably in some regions. Central Tokyo experienced a sharp rebound from October 24, when the maximum temperature remained below 20 degrees Celsius. The temperature climbed by more than 9 degrees, exceeding 25 degrees Celsius and giving the capital its first summer-like day in three days.
Despite occasional showers, crowds also gathered in Tokyo over the weekend for the Nakano Tohoku Kizuna Festival, an event bringing together representative traditional festivals from all six prefectures of the Tohoku region.
The streets were filled with colorful performances, including the famous Nebuta floats from Aomori Prefecture, the giant straw sandal traditions of Fukushima's Waraji Festival, Yamagata's Hanagasa Festival dances, and the lively Suzume Odori, or Sparrow Dance, from Sendai.
Spectators lined the parade route, taking photographs and watching the regional celebrations even as rain fell intermittently.
"It was incredibly powerful and exciting. It really made me want to visit Aomori," one spectator said.
Another visitor expressed admiration for the performances, saying, "It made me realize just how amazing Japanese culture is."
The events offered a glimpse of Japan's diverse autumn traditions, from the annual protection of centuries-old wooden houses and the enjoyment of seasonal seafood to the preservation of regional festivals, as communities continued their celebrations despite the unsettled weather.
Source: FNN
