With a history of over 250 years, the Otabi Festival is Komatsu’s biggest event. The festivities center around the children’s kabuki plays staged upon traditional hikiyama floats!

These kabuki plays were once performed by an all-girl cast, defying the men-only tradition of kabuki. As of recent, it has become a traditional that both girls and boys participate in. Elementary school age children are selected from the two performing neighborhoods (rotated among the neighborhoods that own a hikiyama float, more on that below) and go through months of rigorous training.

The hikiyama that serve as the stage are also not your typical festival float: they contain a pull-out walkway serving as the hanamichi, an essential part of kabuki stages through which performers enter and exit the stage. These hikiyama were actually introduced to the festival later in 1776 as a way of adding color to the festivities and showcasing the skills of local artisans.

While some hikiyama have been lost to fires over the years, eight remain in Komatsu today, and it is the eight neighborhoods owning these hikiyama that take turns staging the kabuki plays of Otabi Festival each year.

The hikiyama are stored in parts and reassembled for the festival every year, but despite their complex structure, not a single nail is used. They have to be fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle, in the right sequence. Additionally, the method of assembly is passed down through the generations purely by verbal instruction. Hence, it is a community effort requiring the participation of the whole neighborhood, young and old alike.

After the hikiyama are assembled, they are pulled through the streets and gathered in the center of Komatsu, for the kabuki plays of the two performing neighborhoods, and the spectacular light-up at night!

Schedule

Date: 9 May (Sat)
Venue: Saiku-cho Intersection (map)

12:10~13:45 Float-pulling Experience
15:00~17:00 English Guided Tour
15:00 Opening act
15:40 Hatcho Children’s Kabuki Performance
16:40 Ryusuke-cho Children’s Kabuki Performance
18:00 Hatcho Children’s Kabuki Performance
19:00 Ryusuke-cho Children’s Kabuki Performance
20:00 Hikiyama Floats Disperse

(Float illumination from ~18:00)

Hikiyama Children’s Kabuki Performances:

Meiboku Sendai Hagi – Masaoka Chugi no Dan
by Teramachi neighbourhood
15:30, 18:00

Kanjincho
by Yokaichimachi neighborhood
16:30, 19:00

Side Activities

English Tour

If you’d like a more intimate experience of Otabi Festival, join our guided tour led by English-speaking locals!

Our friendly local guides will show you around their recommended sites and shops surrounding the festival venue and share their appreciation of the exquisite architecture of the hikiyama floats!

When: 9 May (Sat), 15:00 ～ 17:00

Meeting point: JR Komatsu Station West Exit (map)
*Tour participants may also reserve seats for the night children’s kabuki performances (18:00 ~ 18.50)

It’s a fun way to learn about the history and background of this 250-year-old festival through the intimate eyes of a local! The tour is free, but advance sign-up is required:
(See “How to sign up for the English Tour” below)
– Deadline: 20 April 2026 –

Hikiyama Float-pulling Experience

We will be inviting some members of the public to experience the hikiyama float-pulling process! Join the locals in pulling one of the floats to the assembly point at Saiku-cho Intersection.

It will take place 12:10~13:45, from Miyossa to Saiku-cho Intersection.
*Meeting Point: JR Komatsu Station West Exit (map)

– Deadline: 20 April 2026 –

How to sign up for the English Tour:

Signing up is simple:
1: Follow the following link to the portal.
https://apply.e-tumo.jp/city-komatsu-ishikawa-u/offer/offerList_detail?tempSeq=1521

2: Click the blue button to proceed to the questionnaire.

3: Click the blue button to agree the terms and conditions.

4: Fill out the form without leaving any required fields bank.
5: Confirm the information by pressing the blue button.

You will automatically receive an email from us. If we are unable to accept you on the day due to limited capacity, we will contact you at a later date. If you receive no further communication, please assume that we can take you.

We look forward to seeing you!