S P O T ／ SPOT-201
Noto Kiriko Kaikan (Kiriko Lantern Festival Hall)
のとキリコ会館のとキリコかいかん
A permanent exhibition facility located in Ushitsu, Noto Town, dedicated to the kiriko festival (kirigoshi lantern-float ritual) of the Noto region. The facility displays the actual kiriko floats — six to ten metres in height — used in the Ushitsu Abare Festival (Ishikawa Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property, held annually on the first Friday and Saturday of July). The Abare Festival, with a tradition of over 350 years, is among the most vigorous ritual celebrations in the Hokuriku region, featuring the casting of the mikoshi portable shrine into the sea, a river, and fire. The facility is a component of the Japan Heritage designation 'Light-Dancing Peninsula: Noto — The Ecstasy of the Kiriko Festival' (2015). Following the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, the Ushitsu community continues to work toward the preservation and continuity of the festival tradition, with this facility serving as a central hub for those efforts.
H I G H L I G H T S
Highlights
- 01Actual kiriko floats six to ten metres in height — used in the Abare Festival (Ishikawa Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property) — on permanent display
- 02Explanatory exhibits on kiriko construction techniques and regional variation in form across the Noto Peninsula
- 03The Abare Festival: a Hokuriku ritual tradition of over 350 years in which the mikoshi is cast into the sea, a river, and fire — one of the region's most vigorous festival expressions
- 04A component cultural property of the Japan Heritage 'Light-Dancing Peninsula: Noto — The Ecstasy of the Kiriko Festival' (designated 2015)
- 05Following the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, this facility serves as a hub for community efforts to preserve and continue the kiriko festival tradition
A C C E S S ／ M E T A
Essentials
- Location
- Ishikawa Prefecture Noto Town, Hosu District
- Address
- 石川県鳳珠郡能登町字宇出津ト字50番地1周辺（能登町宇出津）
- Fee
- 不確かな情報：地震前は大人400円程度の記録あり。訪問前に能登町ふるさと振興課（Tel 0768-62-8526）に要確認
- Hours
- 不確かな情報：訪問前に能登町ふるさと振興課（Tel 0768-62-8526）に要確認
- Status
- 2026年時点の営業状況要確認（2024年地震後の閉館・再開情報が混在）
- Official
- https://notokiriko.com/
D E E P D I V E
Deep Dive
Religion
Religion
The Abare Matsuri is the festival of Ufutsu's Yasaka Shrine (connected to Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine). Based on the worship of Gozu Tenno (Susanoo), deity of epidemic prevention, its characteristic rite involves throwing portable mikoshi shrines into the sea, a river, and fire. The core belief is purification through fire. Kiriko lanterns serve as 'hotou' (votive lanterns), accompanying the mikoshi through the streets; each town district owns and maintains its own kiriko.
Architecture
Architecture
The exhibition hall displays actual kiriko used in Ufutsu's Abare Matsuri—approximately 6m tall (smaller than kiriko from some other Noto areas, but with elaborate bases and frames). Displays also introduce the regional diversity of kiriko forms across the Noto Peninsula: urushi-lacquered Wajima-style pieces, gold-leaf decorations, illustrated scrolls, and boat-mounted kiriko. At the time of reporting, Ufutsu's kiriko were exclusively crafted by local artisan Machiwake Hiroshi, with each piece taking 7–8 months to make and each district renewing its kiriko on a 20–30 year cycle.
Cultural Property
Cultural Property
'Abare Matsuri (Ufutsu Kiriko Festival)' is designated an Ishikawa Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Recognized as a Japanese Heritage component cultural asset in 2015: 'Flashing Peninsula Noto—Passionate Kiriko Festival' (Story recognition number 006).