Rumoi Moekko Haru Matsuri 2023: Cultural Adventure

Rumoi Moekko Haru Matsuri

The Rumoi Moekko Haru Matsuri (留萌萌っこ 春待里), translated as the "Rumoi Waiting for Spring Festival," is an annual event typically celebrated during the second week of March. It serves as a way for the locals to welcome the arrival of spring. The festival takes place at Senba Park in Rumoi City, located in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Rumoi Moekko Haru Matsuri Details

The Rumoi Moekko Haru Matsuri may sound like your typical "spring festival" at first glance, but a closer look at the kanji reveals a more fitting translation: "village waiting for spring." This is an apt description for an event held in the cold, snowy month of March, where locals come together to celebrate and shake off the lingering chill of winter. At the center of the festivities is the thrilling Moekko Banba Race, where teams of eight people drag a herring boat weighing around 700 kilograms through the snow.

Rumoi Moekko Haru Matsuri 2023 - Rumoi City, Hokkaido Prefecture

The Moekko Banba Race has a rich history. Originally, the highlight of the Yanshu Dosukohoi Winter Festival in Rumoi, this race ended in 1998 when the festival was discontinued. However, in 2008, a group of local women who were eager to keep the spirit of winter festivities alive brought the race back as part of the Rumoi Moekko Haru Matsuri, which was founded 10 years earlier. Since then, the event has grown, drawing participants and spectators alike to witness the spectacle.

Rumoi Roadside Station

Senba Park

There were performances and games held at the parking area of Rumoi Roadside Station

Ella with Kazumo-chan, Rumoi's mascot

留萌萌っこ 春待里

Ella with Hito-KEN Mamoru-kun, the male human rights awareness mascot

Ella with Hito-KEN Ayumi-chan, the female human rights awareness mascot

Sadly, like many events, the festival was paused during the pandemic. This year marks its triumphant return, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Rumoi Moekko Haru Matsuri. It’s a special occasion, not just because of the festival’s longevity, but also because of the sense of resilience and community it represents.

Moekko Banba Race 2023

In the early years, teams from the Ground Self-Defense Force Rumoi Garrison were among the main competitors, with the event initially held at the Self-Defense Force field in Motokawa-cho. Over time, high school teams began to dominate, with the Rumoi Senbo High School baseball team and the Rumoi High School Track and Field team battling it out for supremacy since 2013. However, in 2016, a women’s team from Asahikawa City, trained in trail running, upset this dominance after rule changes gave them a 20-meter head start. The handicap has since been reduced to 10 meters, but the rivalry between teams continues to drive the excitement of the event.

2023 Rumoi Banba Race Results

Despite the short application period, this year’s festival saw 16 teams sign up, with the captains’ meeting and draw held on February 23rd. I was fortunate enough to join the Rumoi Chimidoro Team, which is made up of my fellow teachers from Rumoi High School. We gave it our all and nearly made it into the top three, only to be narrowly defeated by the Rumoi Firefighters. Despite the loss, it was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience, filled with camaraderie and competitive spirit. Being part of the Moekko Banba Race was fun and a memorable way to connect with the community and be part of a beloved local tradition.

Rumoi High School "Chimidoro" Team 2023

The Rumoi Moekko Haru Matsuri is more than just a festival—it's a celebration of resilience, unity, and the welcoming of spring in the midst of winter's final days. If you find yourself in Rumoi in March, this is one event you won’t want to miss!

Getting to Senba Park

 

Senba Park is just behind Rumoi Roadside Station. This means that you have a wide space for parking in case you come by car. 

If you are commuting, ride the Horonobe Rumoi Line of the Engan Bus and board down at the Funaba Koen Mae bus stop.

If you're coming in by train, despite being literally behind the train station, Senba Park is still about 10-15 minutes away on foot from Rumoi Station. 

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