Heso Matsuri - へそ祭り　(Bellybutton Festival)

Submitted by cyangoose on Tue, 2006/06/13 - 14:26.
Location Date:
4th Friday and Saturday of July
Location Cost:
Free
Location Description:

On the fourth Friday and Saturday of July every summer, the city of Shibukawa, (the self-proclaimed geographical center of both Gunma and Japan) holds a festival to celebrate the fact that it is the "belly button of Japan".

The highlight of the festival is the hara odori (belly dancing) parade. Participants and viewers chant as around 1,300 participants dance along the streets. The partipants wear large hats and have faces painted on their stomachs.

Location Directions:

by Train
The festival is a 5 minute walk from JR Shibukawa Station.

by Car
Drive to Shibukawa on the 17 or take the express way to the Shibukawa exit. It's in the north half of Gunma. You might want to arrange parking beforehand though.

Longitude:
139.01103973388672

Latitude:
36.49859745028132

Description:
On the fourth Friday and Saturday of July every summer, the city of Shibukawa, (the self-proclaimed geographical center of both Gunma and Japan) holds a festival to celebrate the fact that it is the "belly button of Japan".
The highlight of the festival is the hara odori (belly dancing) parade. Participants and viewers chant as around 1,300 participants dance along the streets. The partipants wear large hats and have faces painted on their stomachs.

Date:
4th Friday and Saturday of July

Directions:
by Train
The festival is a 5 minute walk from JR Shibukawa Station.
by Car
Drive to Shibukawa on the 17 or take the express way to the Shibukawa exit. It's in the north half of Gunma. You might want to arrange parking beforehand though.

Cost:
Free

Web Address(es) (1):
www.city.shibukawa.gunma.jp/osirase/invi/invi060517b.html

(2):
www.kanko-otakara.jp/webapps/Contribute/Parser.do?codes=10%7C0773041124%...

Contact Information:
Shibukawa City Commerce, Industry and Sightseeing Section
Phone: 0279-22-2111

Location Contact Information:

Shibukawa City Commerce, Industry and Sightseeing Section

Phone: 0279-22-2111

Location Web Address 1:

www.city.shibukawa.gunma.jp/osirase/invi/invi060517b.html

Location Web Address 2:

www.kanko-otakara.jp/webapps/Contribute/Parser.do?codes=10%7C0773041124%...

Location Latitude:
36.49859745028132
Location Longitude:
139.01103973388672
»