Nyu Shrine and Warai Festival 2025
In 1906, under the Shrine Consolidation Order, the shrines in the Nyu area (Wasa, Egawa, Yamano, and Matsuse) were unified as Nyu Shrine in 1909. The “Warai Festival” held at this shrine has been passed down since the Edo period.
Held annually on the Sunday before Sports Day (2nd Monday of October), the “Nyu Festival” is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Wakayama Prefecture. It is famous for its unique “Warai (Laughing) Festival,” where a leader (bell ringer) parades through the town wearing clown-like costumes and makeup, cheerfully shouting “Laugh! Laugh!” to onlookers.
According to legend, the festival began when villagers encouraged the deity Nyu-tsu-hime no Mikoto to laugh and cheer up after she overslept and missed the gathering of gods in Izumo.
Date
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Location
Nyu Shrine, Hidaka River Town, Wakayama Prefecture
Official Web : Click Here
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