Cavalcade of Hiraide

This ceremony has been maintained in Suwa area for quite a long time. Its origin is said to be a troop of cavalry who guarded the Onbashira ( a special log erected in the grounds of the Suwa shrine) at Onbashira-Eiko (an event of carrying Onbashira to the shrine) of Onbashirasai Festival for Suwa-Kamisha Shrine and Suwa-Shimosha Shrine.

The cavalcade reminds the visitors of a heroic Japanese Daimyo’s procession, which has the traditional flavor of the old times.