Esashi, Harbor town in Hiyama district, Japan
Esashi is a coastal town in Hiyama district on Hokkaido's western shore facing the Sea of Japan, spreading along the waterfront with mountains rising to the east. The settlement follows the natural contours of the bay, creating a linear arrangement of buildings and streets that hug the coastline.
During the Edo period, Esashi became a major herring fishing center that brought significant wealth to the region. The fishing trade remained the economic foundation that shaped the town's development for generations.
The Esashi Oiwake music tradition is maintained through gatherings each September, with songs rooted in the lives of traveling merchants from centuries past. Locals keep this singing style alive as part of their community identity.
Ferry service connects the town to Okushiri Island for those wanting to explore the nearby area. The municipal office can help arrange lodging and point out things to see in the region.
The Doba Shishimai is a local lion dance performed in three distinct acts that blend Shinto ritual movements with traditional pestle-swinging sequences. This performance appears at special occasions and reveals practices passed down through generations.
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