The festival culture of Noto and sake offered to the deities

Suzu is located at the end of Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa. Surrounded by the sea in three directions with a long and ever-changing coastline, the city still retains its beautiful satoyama and satoumi. Against this backdrop, Suzu's traditional culture, which is deeply related to the rich nature and agriculture, forestry and fishery, has been passed down.

The Kiriko Festival, held across several places in the Noto Peninsula from summer to autumn, is one of these traditions. "Kiriko" is an abbreviation of kiriko lantern. The lanterns are carried on people's shoulders to light the way for portable shrines, of which large ones are 2 tons in weight and 15 meters high. The lively sight of lots of kirikos parading in line around the town is as gorgeous as an illuminated picture scroll.

The sake offered to the deities at the festival and the sake served to relatives and friends are both produced by Noto sake brewers using traditional skills. Noto sake brewers form one of the most famous sake brewer guilds, which originated in Suzu and Uchiura. It is said that the Noto guild of sake brewers are one of the top four sake brewer guilds in Japan, and the Noto style is recognized as being the best way to produce ginjo sake. Enjoy sake featuring rich and deep flavors while taking in the magnificent and gorgeous Kiriko Festival.