Have you ever wondered about the ancient provincial capitals of kagawa?
In the town of Fuchu, Sakaide City, Buried Cultural Property Center have unearthed the remains of such a capital, a place of immense historical significance now designated as a national historic site.
While this ancient capital called “Kokufu” holds a value of history, many people remain unfamiliar with its role in Japan’s past.
To shed light on this fascinating piece of history, the 6th Sanuki Kokufu festival will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024, in Fuchu, Sakaide City.
Join us as we delve into the world of the ancient Sanuki capital.
Who have interested in what the old prefectural government of Kagawa looks like.
Who want to experience Japanese historical culture by trying on elegant and beautiful historical costumes worn by aristocrats of the time during the Heian period
(Heian period is about 1250 years ago )
Who want to take pictures wearing Japanese traditional costumes with your friends or family and post them on SNS.
What is Sanuki Kokufu Festival ?
Fuchu-cho in Sakaide City was once the political center where the Kokufu (present-day prefectural government) used to be located. Excavations by Buried Cultural Property Center revealed the historical value of the area, and it was designated as a national historic site.
The local people of Fuchu-cho started the Sanuki Kokufu Festival to convey the charm of Kokufu, and this is the 6th time the festival has been held.
坂出市の府中町はかつての国府(現在の県庁)があった政治の中心地であったことが埋蔵文化財センターの発掘調査によって歴史的価値があることが判明し、国の史跡に指定されました。
地元府中町の方が国府の魅力を伝えていこうと始めたのが讃岐国府祭りで、今回で6回目の開催となります。
Event Details
Date：November 24th(sunday) 9:00-14:00
Location：Tsuzumigaoka Shrine(鼓岡神社) Event Headquarters
Parking：Buried Cultural Property Center(埋蔵文化財センター) or
Fuchu preschool（府中こども園）
Access：
①By train: 15 min walk from JR Sanuki Fuchu Station
②By car: 6 min from Fuchu-ko IC of Takamatsu Expressway
Organizer: Sanuki Kokufu Festival Executive Committee
Phone：080-9003-5896
Mail：info@sakaide-chiikiokoshi.com
Highlights of the Event
Note :The event is all Japanese language.
Excavation site briefing
A popular event that has continued since the first Sanuki Kokufu Festival is the briefing session on the excavation of the Kokufu site.
Every year, Buried Cultural Property Center excavates the Kokufu site in Fuchu-cho, and the excavation site briefing is the first to be opened to the public at the Sanuki Kokufu Festival.
Following last year, the excavation site briefing will be held twice, at 9:30 and 13:00.
Experience Japanese historical costumes with friend and families!
In conjunction with the Nara and Heian periods when the national government was located, the Tenpyo Costume Free Trying-on Event will be held again in 2024.
Tenpyo costumes are costumes worn by aristocrats during the Nara and Heian periods and are not often worn.
The event is one of the most popular events of the year, and last year’s photo session with photo data was quickly filled with reservations because of the gorgeous photos that can be taken.
This year, in order to allow as many people as possible to experience the Tenpyo costumes, there will be no set time to try on the costumes, and visitors will be able to try them on in the order they arrive at the festival.
We plan to have costumes in adult sizes, of course, but also for smaller children who can wear them from the age of about 3 years old.
Anyone can try on the costumes of the Heian aristocrats, whether it is the whole family or a group of friends, and take pictures together.
For your information, women are requested to set their hair in advance.
Please refer to the photo below regarding the hair set.
Stamp rally to enjoy and learn about history
There are many Kokufu-related spots near the venue of the Sanuki Kokufu Festival.
Visitors can enjoy a stamp rally while answering quiz questions related to ancient capital of kagawa.
Local children wearing Tenpyo costumes will read out the questions, so you can learn more about the history of Kokufu while having fun at the same time.
There are six stamp rally spots. You will get stamp rally map at the headquarters.
If you complete the stamp rally at all six locations, you will receive a commemorative gift limited to the Sanuki Kokufu Festival on a first-come, first-served basis, so please be sure to participate.
Experience Ancient Japanese Lifestyle
In addition to the exhibition at the Buried Cultural Property Center, the following new events are planned for this year.
pit dwelling
In Buried Cultural Property Center, there is a pit dwelling.
You can experience Japanese ancient lifestyle below.
- Rice cooking and heating experience using earthenware (tasting is at your own risk)
- Cutting experience using sanukite, a stone found only in Kagawa Prefecture.
- Experience cracking acorns and other shells
Kokufu area observation
Visitors can enjoy the view of the Kokufu site from the rooftop of Buried Cultural Property Center.
Novelty gifts
Buried Cultural Property Center will create bookmarks and pendants with designs of artifacts found during the excavation.
If you fill out the event questionnaire on the day of the event, the prizes will be given away at the event headquarters on a first-come, first-served basis.
(The number of novelties will be limited and will end when they are gone.)
Small Markets by locals
Small market by local residents will be held inside the headquarters, Tsuzumigaoka Shrine.
Gikodo history slide show
This building “Gikodo” is a replica of the house where the 75th Japanese emperor Sutoku lived.
There will be a slide show associated with Emperor Sutoku and Kokufu.
(The photo is from last year, 2023.)
Gikodo is also a place that is not usually accessible, so it is a good idea to go inside Gikodo as a rest spot and take your time to learn about the history.
In summary
The Sanuki Kokufu Festival is an event that conveys the charm of Kunifu, once the center of Kagawa.
This is an event that both children and adults can enjoy as they experience the history of Kunifu, experience traditional costumes, and eat local foods, so please come and visit Fuchu-cho, Sakaide City, on November 24 (Sunday), 2024.
If you have any questions about the 6th Sanuki Kokufu Festival, please feel free to contact me
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