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Danjiri festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by people through a street in Kishiwada during the Danjiri festival in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 13, 2025.

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Japan: Historic Kishiwada Danjiri Festival Kicks Off in Osaka With Massive Floats

The annual Kishiwada Danjiri Festival began on September 13 in Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture, running through September 14. Thirty-four massive wooden floats, each over 4 meters tall and weighing more than 4 tons, raced through the city streets of the Kishiwada and Haruki districts to the spirited chant of “Sorya, Sorya.” Festival participants in matching happi coats pulled the floats with ropes, while “daiku-gata” performers danced atop the roofs with fans. At intersections, the floats performed the festival’s signature “yarimawashi,” a dramatic 90-degree turn executed at high speed, thrilling spectators with cheers. Drums, flutes, and bells added to the festive atmosphere. The festival, held for over 300 years since the Edo period, continues late into the evening on September 13, with a ceremonial shrine visit (“Miyairi”) scheduled on September 14.

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Princess Aiko visits Osaka expo

Japanese Princess Aiko walks by a "danjiri" traditional festival cart during a visit to the World Exposition in Osaka on May 9, 2025.

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Osaka Week at World Exposition

A "danjiri" cart-pulling performance is held at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 9, 2025, marking the start of Osaka Week, during which various events are scheduled through May 18 to pitch the culture of the western Japan city.

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Osaka Week at World Exposition

A "danjiri" cart-pulling performance is held at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 9, 2025, marking the start of Osaka Week, during which various events are scheduled through May 18 to pitch the culture of the western Japan city.

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Osaka Week at World Exposition

A "danjiri" cart-pulling performance is held at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 9, 2025, marking the start of Osaka Week, during which various events are scheduled through May 18 to pitch the culture of the western Japan city.

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Float-pulling festival in Osaka

KISHIWADA, Japan, Sept. 14 Kyodo - People pull a "Danjiri" float in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 14, 2024, on the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival. (Kyodo)

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Float-pulling festival in Osaka

People pull a "Danjiri" float in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 14, 2024, on the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival.

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Float-pulling festival in Osaka

People pull a "Danjiri" float in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 14, 2024, on the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival.

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Float-pulling festival in Osaka

People pull a "Danjiri" float in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 14, 2024, on the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival.

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Float-pulling festival in Osaka

People pull a "Danjiri" float in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 14, 2024, on the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival.

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Danjiri festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by people through a street in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 16, 2023, the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival.

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Danjiri festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by people through a street in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 16, 2023, the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival.

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Danjiri festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by people through a street in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 16, 2023, the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival.

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Danjiri festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by people through a street in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 16, 2023, the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival.

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Danjiri festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by people through a street in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 16, 2023, the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival.

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2-day Danjiri Festival in Kishiwada begins

OSAKA, Japan - A danjiri, an elaborately carved traditional wooden float, is pulled by neighborhood people through a street in the city of Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2014, as the annual two-day Danjiri Festival began. The festival features 34 teams pulling floats at breakneck speeds, with neighborhood leaders hopping and dancing on the top of the floats.

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2-day Danjiri Festival in Kishiwada begins

OSAKA, Japan - A danjiri, an elaborately carved traditional wooden float, is pulled by neighborhood people through a street in the city of Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2014, as the annual two-day Danjiri Festival began. The festival features 34 teams pulling floats at breakneck speeds, with neighborhood leaders hopping and dancing on the top of the floats.

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Kawachinagano marks 60th anniversary of city status

TONDABAYASHI, Japan - "Danjiri" floats gather before the city hall of Kawachinagano in Osaka Prefecture during an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of municipalization on May 18, 2014.

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Float-pulling "Danjiri" festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by neighborhood people through a street in Kishiwada in Osaka Prefecture on Sept. 17, 2022, as the two-day Danjiri festival began. It was the first time in three years that the traditional festival took place without COVID-19 restrictions.

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Float-pulling "Danjiri" festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by neighborhood people through a street in Kishiwada in Osaka Prefecture on Sept. 17, 2022, as the two-day Danjiri festival began. It was the first time in three years that the traditional festival took place without COVID-19 restrictions.

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Float-pulling "Danjiri" festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by neighborhood people through a street in Kishiwada in Osaka Prefecture on Sept. 17, 2022, as the two-day Danjiri festival began. It was the first time in three years that the traditional festival took place without COVID-19 restrictions.

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Float-pulling "Danjiri" festival in Osaka

A Danjiri float is pulled by neighborhood people through a street in Kishiwada in Osaka Prefecture on Sept. 17, 2022, as the two-day Danjiri festival began. It was the first time in three years that the traditional festival took place without COVID-19 restrictions.

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