The Uwajima Ushioni Matsuri is the defining summer event of southern Ehime, centred on enormous ushioni — bull-demon papier-mâché floats up to 6 metres long carried through the streets in a raucous procession. Legend holds the ushioni wards off plague and evil from the port city. The three-day festival also incorporates Uwajima's famed tōgyū bullfighting matches, where bulls lock horns in sumo-style bouts at the dedicated stadium. The celebration concludes with a grand fireworks display over Uwajima Bay.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- July (22–24)
- Region
- Shikoku
- Prefecture
- Ehime
- City
- Uwajima
Highlights
- ◆Iconic six-metre bull-demon ushioni portable floats
- ◆Traditional tōgyū bull-sumo fighting matches
- ◆Grand fireworks display over Uwajima Bay
- ◆Mikoshi shrine procession through historic castle-town streets
- ◆Local seafood stalls and Uwajima tai-meshi rice dishes