Obama Hōjō-e 小浜放生祭
Since 1638, twelve of Obama's twenty-four neighbourhoods have taken turns to parade each year.
The Hachiman Shrine in Obama is documented from 1265, and horseback archery during its celebrations is recorded as early as 1405. The modern form of the festival dates from 1638, when the daimyo Sakai Tadakatsu made the shrine the stopping place (御旅所) of the local Gion Matsuri: since then the tradition has continued without interruption for over 380 years. Designated a prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukui in 2002.
Fukui
Obama
