Held biennially in early September, the Iida Daigyōretsu (Grand Procession Festival) celebrates Iida's remarkable legacy as the heartland of rural ningyo joruri (bunraku-style puppet theatre) in Japan. Over 200 puppet troupes—many from community groups preserving centuries-old local traditions—parade through the town and perform on outdoor and indoor stages across a four-day programme. Iida and the surrounding Ina Valley host more than 30 active puppet troupes, a density unmatched anywhere in the country, recognised by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- Early September
- Region
- Chubu
- Prefecture
- Nagano
- City
- Iida
Highlights
- ◆200+ traditional ningyo joruri puppet troupes performing
- ◆Japan's highest concentration of community puppet theatre
- ◆Outdoor stage performances in apple-orchard town scenery
- ◆Nationally recognised preservation of intangible folk culture
- ◆Workshops available for hands-on puppet experience