Nishiokoppe Village, Hokkaido"

In late August, Nishiokoppe and Kamiokoppe hold village festivals, with entertainment, games and activities for children, competitions and food booths. Nishiokoppe’s festival includes a Japanese style barbecue.

In September, the Nishiokoppe shrine festival is held to honor the village god. An exquisite portable shrine, made of gold, is paraded through town by middle school and upper elementary school students and their teachers. Village residents give offerings and pay their respects to the god, led by a Shinto priest.

Portable Shrine

Gakugeikai is the performance festival that Japanese schools traditionally hold in the fall. Plays, music, dances and gymnastics are performed. The teachers write the plays, make the costumes and choreograph the dances. Students practice long and hard for this event, and the performances are surprisingly good!

We love our festivals.