Witness pure power at the Akiba Festival

On February 11th, the lively sounds of conch shells, bamboo flutes and traditional taiko drums echo among the serene forests of Niyodogawa Town. Akiba Festival has more than 200 years of history, considered as one of Kochi’s three major festivals, and features an impressive dance where performers carry around and throw long poles topped with black feathers that weigh over 8 kilograms!

In these photos however, you see another important tradition during the festival where participants of all ages spend about half a day walking slowly uphill for approximately 3 kilometers, carrying a mikoshi (portable shrine) until they reach Akiba Shrine, which is dedicated to Hobusuna-no-Mikoto, a deity believed to protect the area from fire

Akiba Festival
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vYYyf9mqF5ZFYZCg6
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/event
The procession is carried out from Iwaya to Akiba shrines
February 11th, 2024 from around 8:30AM to 3:30PM

Special thanks to Instagram user @akira_1972_ for the dynamic photos!

@akira_1972_: https://www.instagram.com/akira_1972_/