The Heike Festival Returns to Yunishigawa Onsen After 5 Years
The Heike Festival Returns to Yunishigawa Onsen After 5 Years Yesterday, I posted a blog about the legend of the Heike refugees in Gokayama, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. Today, I will introduce Yunishigawa Onsen in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, which also has a Heike refugee legend and the Heike Festival inspired by this legend. Don’t Miss the Heike Festival at Yunishigawa Onsen: Join the Majestic Parade On June 1st (Saturday) and 2nd (Sunday), 2024, the Heike Festival (Heike Taisai) will be held at Yunishigawa Onsen. The Heike Festival is a continuing tradition at Yunishigawa Onsen, where it is said that the Heike clan fled after being defeated by the Genji clan in the Battle of Dan-no-ura (1185). The festival features the ‘Heike Emaki Parade,’ where participants dress as Heike warriors and princesses and march solemnly through the area. For those staying at Yunishigawa Onsen on June 1st, there is a special opportunity to experience dressing up as a princess or samurai and stepping back into the Heike era. However, you must apply by May 20th, so please make your reservations early. It is believed that either Taira no Tadamune (grandson of Taira no Kiyomori) or Taira no Kagemori