Gathering in Nakaokuchi | Kuzutsuka Festival 2026 葛塚まつり

On the first night of the Kuzutsuka Festival (葛塚まつり), the four teams connected to Isurugi Shrine gather in Nakaokuchi before beginning their nighttime procession. The order of arrival is traditional: 1. Kamiokuchi 上大口 2. Nakaokuchi 中大口 3. Shimookuchi 下大口 4. Sakaemachi 栄町 Each team enters the intersection, spins its lantern float, and chants loudly before lining up with the others. Once all four teams have assembled, they head together toward Isurugi Shrine (石動神社) to begin the night’s performances. If you enjoy Japanese festival culture, walking videos, or traditional lantern floats, please consider subscribing. Your likes, comments, and subscriptions help:    / @nealgraham   Connect on Instagram: General:   / thenealgraham   Walking Videos:   / neal.walks   00:00 - Preview and Intro 00:56 - Kamiokuchi 上大口 05:51 - Nakaokuchi 中大口 09:28 - Shimookuchi 下大口 13:13 - Sakaemachi 栄町 15:46 - Kamiokuchi 上大口 ✨ Explore My Books! ✨ Discover stories and flavors that celebrate Japanese culture: 🍶 101+ Sake Cocktails A spirited collection of creative cocktails with Japanese sake at the heart. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX 🗾 ABCs of Niigata A bilingual (English & Japanese) picture book introducing the charm of Niigata Prefecture - perfect for curious kids and language learners. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPDTWN64 🍱 Japanese School Lunch Cookbook Step into the world of kyushoku with authentic, heartwarming recipes from Japanese school cafeterias. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCN3SJS 📦 These links are for Amazon US, but you can also find the books in your local currency on your local Amazon site. Happy reading and tasting! #KuzutsukaFestival #葛塚まつり #Japan #Niigata #japanesefestival