The annual Yatsushiro Myokensai festival parade in Kumamoto Prefecture has been canceled this year due to the impact of a major earthquake that struck the region in July. The festival, centered around Yatsushiro Shrine in the city of Yatsushiro, normally occurs in late November and features a large shinko gyoretsu, or divine procession, with around 1,600 participants dressed in traditional Edo-period costumes. The event also showcases elaborately decorated floats known as kasaboko and a prominent giant doll of kidda, a mythical creature that blends features of a turtle and a snake.

Recognized by UNESCO as part of Japan’s intangible cultural heritage since 2016, the parade has drawn approximately 150,000 spectators annually and is considered a significant cultural highlight. Despite the July 28 earthquake causing limited damage to the shrine’s main building and the parade floats, which were stored safely in a city facility, a tower gate on the shrine grounds collapsed. The shrine grounds serve as the starting point for the procession and were similarly affected by the quake.

Following the disaster, shrine officials and festival organizers deliberated extensively on whether to proceed with this year’s event. They ultimately concluded that cancellation was necessary, citing the widespread impact of the quake on local residents, who faced challenges in preparing for the festival, as well as concerns over ensuring the safety of attendees. This marks the third cancellation of the parade, with prior interruptions in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and severe rainfall in the prefecture.

Plans to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the festival’s UNESCO designation were also scrapped amid these circumstances. Katsuhiko Kobayashi, the 42-year-old chief priest of Yatsushiro Shrine, emphasized the importance of focusing on restoration efforts and considering the future role of shrines and festivals in the community. The shrine has initiated a crowdfunding campaign aimed at repairing damaged structures.

Local resident Akio Shigaki, aged 65, who has participated in the festival nearly every year, expressed his disappointment but also understanding of the situation. “This festival has been an annual pleasure since I was a child,” he said. “We can’t greet the New Year without this festival.” Acknowledging the difficulties facing the community, Shigaki added, “Life is hard for everyone now. So it can’t be helped this time.”