Held in mid-September
The Iwamizawa Hyappei Festival’s main attraction is something that is sure to excite the tastebuds of any sweets-lover in attendance. During the festival, the traditional mochi (rice cake) pounding ritual is done with not two (as is tradition), but 200 festival participants. A massive 200kg mallet is used to pound the sticky rice before it is turned and repositioned with the help of dozens of paddles. Locals and visitors alike jump in to take turns yanking the mallet’s ropes, pulling it up into the air and letting it slam back down again. When done, this massive bowl of mochi is made into over a thousand portions of zenzai, a sweet red bean soup, and passed out for all attendants to enjoy.
Iwamizawa Tourism Association
https://iwamizawa-kankou.jp/english/
*Dates may be changed. For more detailed information, please refer to the official website.