Hidakagawa: Wasa Warai Festival and Jogging Course

Hidakagawa can be viewed through two distinct themes for planning a trip: the Wasa Warai Festival and the jogging course at Nanzan Sports Park. One is defined by its reputation and procession, while the other is characterized by specific route measurements. If you are looking for a hotel in Hidakagawa, this distinction can help you decide on the focus of your stay first: are you particularly interested in the festival tradition, or would you like to include some exercise in your travel plans? Both themes give you a concrete starting point for your search, without requiring them to become part of a single itinerary.

The Wasa Warai Festival and its reputation

At the Wasa Warai Festival, participants call out, “Laugh, laugh.” The festival is considered a symbol of the Niu Festival. The call and its symbolic role emphasize different things: the call is an immediate part of the festival, while its connection to the Niu Festival places its significance in context. If you are interested in the festival tradition, you can distinguish between these two aspects: the characteristic wording and the connection to the Niu Festival. This keeps both the specific events of the Wasa Warai Festival and its symbolic connection in view.

The procession: bell bearer and masu carriers

The procession is defined by a clear order and specific objects. A bell bearer leads it. Twelve masu carriers each carry a one-shō masu containing, among other things, skewered citrus fruits to the shrine. In leap years according to the lunar calendar, there are thirteen masu carriers. Twelve is therefore the number outside a lunar-calendar leap year; in such a leap year, there are thirteen. The calendar condition is as important as the number when describing the procession. The bell bearer, masu carriers, and the citrus fruits they carry give the procession distinct elements: the bell bearer leads, while the masu carriers carry the vessels to the shrine.

Jogging course at Nanzan Sports Park

For exercise, there is a jogging course on the grounds of Nanzan Sports Park in Wasa. It is approximately 600 meters long and 1.8 to 2 meters wide. The course was completed and opened in May 2024. At around 600 meters, it can be considered a short exercise session; plan how much time you need according to your own pace. The surface and access conditions may change. Checking the current conditions before your visit will help you take them into account when planning.

Choose the focus of your trip

The two themes offer different points of focus: the Wasa Warai Festival centers on its call, symbolic connection, and procession order; for the jogging course, its length and width provide practical points of reference. This lets you decide first whether your travel plans will focus more on the festival tradition or on an exercise session. If the festival is the main reason for your trip, check its dates before booking. For the course, take the current surface and access conditions into account before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Nishimuro District, Yuasa, Shingū, Hidaka District, Gobō, Kainan, Kinokawa, Arida.

For the broader travel overview: Wakayama Prefecture.