Sacred Places, Pilgrimage, and Tourism - Geography of Religion in Japan: Religious Space, Landscape, and Behavior - page 142

Omotesando are the main locations for the festivities. Two major events that
many visitors want to see are the “So-odori ” (overall dance), where all the
fl oats and wagons are gathered together in front of the large main hall of
Shinshoji on the fi rst day and the plaza in front of Narita Station on the sec-
ond day; and the “So-biki ” (overall pull), where the fl oats and wagons are
raced up the hill of Nakamachi from the temple to Yakushido one after
another. The fl oats are accompanied by hayashi (music) to cheer the perfor-
mance of the fl oats and wagons. The hayashi of Shinshoji, Nakamachi, and
Honcho have succeeded the Kandabayashi (which was the hayashi of Edo),
the hayashi of other towns, and the Saharabayashi (a rural hayashi).
Shinshoji's hayashi is not an original Narita hayashi , but it is rare for two
different hayashi schools to coexist at the same festival. Each town proudly
manages their own fl oats and wagons for the Gion Festival, and a strong
rivalry has developed. The strong ties to the town resulting from the festival
affect the attitudes of each town toward the Monzenmachi.
The ritual festival committee of the tourist association is involved in the
Gion Festival. Seven towns, excluding Tsuchiya and Igodai, assume the role
of being in charge of the Gion Festival in turn, and organize a planning com-
mittee. The festival is hosted by a planning committee organized by each
town, instead of the ritual festival committee of the tourist association. The
ritual festival committee supports the town in charge, and sums up and coor-
dinates the opinions of the other towns. The tourist association assumes a
background role, but it serves an important role in the Gion Festival and in
connecting all the towns.
(2) Public Relations Activities
The tourist association promotes tourism by publicity, managing and operat-
ing the website of the tourist association, campaigning via caravan teams,
and preparing guidebooks. The website of the tourist association has content
available in English, Chinese, and Korean, and information on events and
tourist spots within the city. The website also introduces local dishes and
souvenirs that are representative of Narita. The information technology
committee prepares and manages the websites for individual shops with
their owners and members of the tourist association.
Campaigns by caravan teams are held through Kanto at the beginning of
December every year. Exhibition places include the front of JR terminal sta-
tions such as Ueno, Omiya, and Chiba. Narita souvenirs are displayed, and
there are dance performances for the Drum Festival and the Large Tower of
Peace Festival.
(3) Operation of Narita Tourism Hall
The tourist association operates the Narita Tourism Hall in Nakamachi. The
building disseminates tourist information, provides rest facilities, and pro-
vides space to exhibit Narita history, including the Gion Festival's fl oats and
wagons. Computers connected to the internet can be used free of charge.
About 80,000 people use the tourism hall every year. Foreigners also use the
hall, so information is available in English. Shinshoji is introduced as a nearby