Hirata Tanabata Costumed Boat Procession (Hirata Festival)

The Hirata Festival is one of the region's largest summer festivals, centered on the Hirata Honmachi shopping street in Izumo. Its highlight is the 'Hirata Tanabata Costumed Boat Procession,' in which float-like 'boats' lavishly adorned with Tanabata decorations are pulled through town by costumed participants. The traditional Hirata Isshiki-kazari craft, which depicts historic scenes using everyday objects, is displayed around town, and the streets become pedestrian zones with stages, stalls and a finale fireworks show.