Handa Spring Dashi (Float) Festivals are held in 10 districts of Handa City in Aichi Prefecture from early in March to late in May every year. The festival at Narawa Shrine is one of such float festivals that you can’t miss.

The four floats from the four towns in the district march through the streets. The oldest one was constructed in 1846 for the Kamihanda district and was taken over to this Narawa district. The highlight of the festival is the valiant gathering of the floats at Yurakucho Crossing.

After the gathering, the floats head for the shrine, where “Ojishi-Kojisi no Mai (the dances of big and small lions)” are dedicated by the dancers from all the four towns. They are the traditional performing art passed down since the Edo period (1603-1868). They are the combination of elegant big lion dances and comical small lion dances joined by Okame and Hyottoko. “Ojishi-Kojisi no Mai” is prefecturally designated as an intangible folk cultural property.