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3. Autumn Festival in Funatsu, Himeji — Wear a Happi Coat and March with the Locals: Sacred “Jomaijo” Dragon King Dance & Festival Float Procession　　【姬路船津】正八幡神社秋祭 ～穿上法被，與當地居民一同參與祭典巡遊～　觀賞屋台入宮、練合與「龍王舞」

Autumn Festival in Funatsu, Himeji — Wear a Happi Coat and March with the Locals: Sacred “Jomaijo” Dragon King Dance & Festival Float Procession　　【姬路船津】正八幡神社秋祭 ～穿上法被，與當地居民一同參與祭典巡遊～　觀賞屋台入宮、練合與「龍王舞」

*This tour is available in Japanese, English, or Chinese.

Every October, a traditional autumn festival is held at Sho Hachiman Shrine in Funatsu, located in the northeastern part of Himeji City. Festival floats from the surrounding districts gather in the shrine grounds, where visitors can witness the powerful procession of floats entering the shrine and the Ryuo-mai, a traditional Dragon King dance designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Himeji City.

During this program, you will put on a traditional happi coat and headband, carry a decorative shide wand, and experience the lively festival atmosphere together with local residents. After watching the impressive entrance of the festival floats from close range, you will hear about Japanese shrine traditions, the wishes and prayers embodied in autumn festivals, and Japan’s local festival culture.

You will also receive a special souvenir inspired by the udemamori, a traditional arm charm that is an essential part of Himeji’s festival culture. These charms were traditionally embroidered and sewn by women wishing for the safety of the men participating in the festival, with an amulet placed inside.
The udemamori worn by festival participants feature colourful embroidery and a wide variety of individual designs, each carrying the thoughts and prayers of its maker. During the festival, take a closer look at these embroidered charms and discover the culture and personal stories that have been passed down through generations in the local community.

After the festival, we will visit the Japan Toy Museum, located in northeastern Himeji City, a short distance from Funatsu. The museum is internationally renowned for its collection of toys from around the world and also houses numerous traditional folk toys from across Japan.

Many of these toys were created to express wishes for children’s healthy growth, good health, and protection from misfortune. Like the udemamori, they show how people in Japan have long incorporated their prayers and wishes into objects used in everyday life and seasonal customs. Following the excitement of the festival, the museum offers an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of this aspect of Japanese culture.

This special tour allows you to share in the energy of the local community and experience Japan’s traditional culture from up close.

※本行程可依參加者需求，提供日語、英語或中文導覽。

位於姬路市東北部船津町的正八幡神社，每年10月都會舉行當地傳統的秋季祭典。屆時，各地區的祭典屋台將齊聚神社境內，並舉行氣勢十足的屋台入宮，以及被指定為姬路市重要無形民俗文化財的「龍王舞」。

參加本行程時，您將穿上傳統法被、綁上頭巾，手持祭典用的紙垂棒，與當地居民一同感受熱鬧的祭典氣氛。近距離觀賞氣勢磅礴的屋台入宮後，還可聆聽有關日本神社文化、秋祭所承載的祈願，以及日本祭典文化的介紹。

此外，我們亦準備了以姬路祭典中不可或缺的「腕守」為主題的紀念品。腕守是姬路特有的祭典配飾，傳統上由女性為祈求參與祭典的男性平安，親手刺繡並放入護身符後縫製而成。

祭典參加者佩戴的腕守上，可看到色彩鮮豔的刺繡與各具特色的圖樣，每一件都寄託著製作者的心意與祈願。活動當天，您可以在實際的祭典中仔細觀察各式腕守的刺繡，感受世代傳承至今的地方祭典文化，以及人們蘊藏其中的情感。

祭典結束後，將前往距離船津不遠、同樣位於姬路市東北部的日本玩具博物館。該館以收藏世界各地的玩具而享譽國際，館內亦展示了眾多來自日本各地的鄉土玩具。

這些玩具寄託著人們對孩子健康成長、平安無病與消災祈福的願望。它們與腕守一樣，都是將日常生活中的祈願化為具體物件，並融入歲時節慶之中的文化象徵。在感受祭典熱烈氣氛之餘，也能進一步認識日本人自古以來「將願望寄託於物件之中」的深厚文化。

這是一趟與地方居民共享祭典熱情、近距離感受日本傳統文化的特別體驗行程。

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