Otaue Festival Venue (御田祭会場)

Flow of the course

About this spot

This is the Otaue Festival Village Community Plaza (御田祭の里ふれあい広場), the central venue for the rice-planting festival “Otaue Matsuri,” held in the sacred rice paddy of Tashiro Shrine (田代神社), said to have been founded in 1032. An old-style agricultural ritual involving everything from puddling the paddy to planting the rice seedlings, it prays for worshippers' good health and a bountiful harvest, and is designated as one of the prefecture's Intangible Folk Cultural Properties. On the day of the festival, food stalls line up from the evening and the venue starts filling with visitors. Secure a spot early, pick up dinner from the food stalls, and watch the mountain-village sky shift from orange to indigo while waiting for the show to begin.

Tips

Parking around the venue is expected to be crowded, so arriving early is strongly recommended. Nearby convenience stores and shops get busy around the fireworks, so secure your drinks and snacks early. Once you spread out your picnic sheet, keep your spot with your belongings, and remain considerate of those around you.

Best time to visit

Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes. Around sunset, the sky's changing colors are at their most beautiful.

Access & map

〒883-1101 Miyazaki Prefecture, Higashiusuki District, Misato Town, Saigo Tashiro