The Kikonai Kanrin-Maru Festival 2009
- When: 08/08/2009 - 09/08/2009
- Where: Hokkaido
- Organized by: Kikonai, Hokkaido
- Admission fee: FREE
- URL: More info in Japanese only
The Kanrin-Maru was built in Holland in 1857 and it sank after running aground at the off-shore of Cape Saraki in Kikonai-cho in 1871. The Kikonai Kanrin-Maru Festival is the annual summer festival to introduce the Dutch culture to its participants through the history of the Kanrin-Maru and thus to activate the town. It is held for two days, on Saturday and Sunday, in the mid-August. The first day’s schedule includes “Park-Golf Competition” and “Beer Hall Paradise” set together with live music stages and karaoke singing. On the second day, stalls are set at the Festival site and “Kanrin-Maru Float”, flower floats, “Boshin Battle” samurai, and 1,000-dancer procession parade through the street adding excitement to the Festival. The Festival’s atmosphere reaches its climax after the processions arrive at the Festival ground where a drum contest, “Matsumae Kagura” and popular song shows are staged.
Venue: Kikonai-cho industrial hall car park
