Wakimoto Float Dondo

On August 6th and 7th, floats built by children is paraded around the town with flute and drums. When handed with gift money, as a show of gratitude, message is read out loud and fireworks will be lit. Children look forward to this Tanabata event and call it YAMADONDO. This ceremonial event has been continued for 200 years, and the origin is yet to be unknown. Some say that it is a imitation of the Nebuta Festival in Aomori prefecture or Noshiro's Tanabata festival. Also others say that it has a relationship with the Kitamae ships or some roots in the Wakimoto castle in the midieval ages. From the writings from the Taisho-era, we know that the event was held on the original Tanabata date, July 6th. In the Wakimoto district the day is special and cleaning of graves, and well-cleaning is done. On the 7th, there used to be a custom of 7 bathing and 7 red bean rice meal. And in the end, the head of the Float will be removed and the doll will be floated out into the ocean. Float Dondo is also called Nebu-Nagashi implying that it has something to do with water and Bon.

Wakimoto Hongo District is the area on the ocean side of the intersection where Wakimoto Fire Department and Max Valu Oga is located. There are no parkings around.