Brawl in Shibata – The Final Battle of Shibata Festival 2025 新発田まつり
The streets of Shibata ignite with tradition and tension as I watch three neighborhood floats return home in a ritual known as Kaeri Daiwa (帰り台輪). This is the final act of the Shibata Festival (新発田まつり) – a night of lantern-lit fury, echoing chants, and theatrical battles between float teams.
Filmed handheld and up close, this video captures the raw emotion, rhythm, and beauty of a centuries-old summer ritual.
📍 Filmed in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture
#shibatafestival #japan #festivalfloats #japanesetradition #新発田まつり #帰り台輪
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