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. (News On Japan)
Otsu Festival, a traditional celebration in Shiga Prefecture, took place on October 11th with 13 intricately decorated floats featuring traditional mechanical puppets. The floats, adorned with embroidered curtains and ornaments, paraded through Otsu City accompanied by traditional music. The hikiyama floats, carrying karakuri mechanical puppets, are the main attraction of the Otsu Festival, an annual event dating back around 400 years and associated with Tenson Shrine.
The festival's float procession was recently added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2025, acknowledging its cultural significance and the preservation of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and customs.
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