When: Early December Dates: The second Saturday of December City: Saiki Website: City Website (Japanese) Description: You can join local residents and help make the longest shimenawa (sacred straw rope) in Japan. Every year the old rope is burnt and the new rope is made from scratch with the help of hundreds of volunteers. Local residents gather at Saiki's Bungo Futamigaura (a set of stone sacred rocks overlooking the sea which is said to represent a married couple). When completed the rope measures 65 metres and weighs two tonnes. After registering (which costs a small fee) you receive a piece of paper that you write your wish on, before it is woven into the rope.
Shimenawa Festival (Early December) Locals come together to bring down the old rope at Bungo Futamigaura and create a new one. Write a wish on a paper that’s inserted in the rope, help with creating the new rope, and get to interact with the community in this fun activity!