イベント紹介
現在の兵庫県の一部である播磨は、古くは播磨国（はりまのくに）、播州（ばんしゅう）と呼ばれていました。古くからこの地域（現在の高砂市を含む）では秋祭りが盛んで、屋台が祭りの中心となっています。
屋台は地域によってさまざまな形や大きさで作られますが、重いものが多く、2000キロを超えるものもあります。数百人が担いで各地を巡り、地元の神社など重要な場所に寄ります。
町民は自分たちの屋台に大きな誇りを持っており、お盆やお正月よりも秋祭りの方が長居する人も少なくありません。高砂の秋祭りは、地元の人々の熱意によって、観光客にも人気があります。
Event Introduction
Harima, part of present-day Hyogo Prefecture, was once called Harima no Kuni (Harima country) or Banshu (planting state). Since ancient times, this region (which includes present-day Takasago) has been known for its fall festivals, in which floats (yatai) are central to the celebrations.
While the floats are made in various shapes and sizes, depending on the area, they tend to be heavy, sometimes weighing more than 2,000 kilograms. Several hundred people carry the yatai around the areas they visit, calling at important places such as local shrines.
Townspeople take enormous pride in their yatai, and many people spend more time at the fall festival than they do at festivals marking Obon (the annual Buddhist event for commemorating one’s ancestors) or the New Year. The enthusiasm with which local people take part makes Takasago’s fall festivals popular with visitors, too.
