Onomichi Betcha Festival

Sun, Nov 01, 18:00 - Tue, Nov 03, 19:00

Onomichi City

9-16 Higashitsuchido-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima　

JPY

The Onomichi Betcha Festival is a three-day festival held in Hiroshima in the beginning of November. At this festival, portable mikoshi shrines are carried through the streets accompanied by drum music and three “demons” called Soba, Beta, and Shouki. These masked demons, encouraged by the surrounding crowds, will prod the people around them with ceremonial rods called iwaibou and bamboo whisks known as sasara. This tradition is actually a purification ritual believed to have originated during the Edo period, and it is said that being hit by these rods and whisks will bring the person blessings, such as intelligence and a disease-free life. There are also taiko drum performances and original merchandise for sale at the festival, so make sure not to miss out on this unique experience. Photograph provided by Hiroshima Prefecture

Culture Experience History

Free Admission