After a four-year hiatus, the Minamiboso Shirahama Ama-Matsuri, also known as the Shirahama Sea Women’s Festival, returns on the 15th and 16th of July, 2023. This enchanting event, held in the Chiba Prefecture’s city of Minamiboso, is a summer spectacle you don’t want to miss.
A Tribute to the Sea Women of Shirahama
The Shirahama Ama-Matsuri is a tribute to the diligent sea women, or “Ama,” of Chiba’s Minamiboso Shirahama who continue to thrive in their fishing endeavors. The festival aims to honor these women, preserve the traditional ways of Ama fishing, and pray for their safety and abundant catch.
A Night Swim Illuminated by Torches
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the Minamiboso Shirahama Ama-Matsuri Festival is the captivating “Sea Women’s Great Night Swim. As the clock strikes 8 PM on both nights, around a hundred sea women, dressed in white, take to the waters bearing torches.
The torches’ ethereal glow against the dark waters, coupled with resonant music and captivating visuals, make for a stunning sight. The grand finale is a firework display, symbolizing the advent of summer in Shirahama.
Taste and Support: The Maruguru 2023 Event
Alongside the Ama-Matsuri, the food event “Maruguru 2023” will take place. This culinary event is a fantastic opportunity to support disaster-hit areas by tasting and purchasing local food.
Event Details
- Name: 59th Minamiboso Shirahama Ama-Matsuri Festival × Recovery Support Event Maruguru ’23
- Date: July 15th (Saturday) and 16th (Sunday), 2023
- Time: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Venue: Minamiboso Shirahama, in front of Nojimasaki Lighthouse Google Map
- Address: 630 Shirahama-cho, Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture
- Entry: Free
Don’t miss out on this unique chance to witness the centuries-old tradition of Ama divers, support local communities, and experience the breathtaking beauty of a summer night on the shores of Minamiboso Shirahama.
For more information, please visit the official Minamiboso Shirahama Ama-Matsuri Festival website (Japanese).
