Once a year for one day, the streets of Matsue will become filled with green as food stalls line the streets, filled with singing, dancing, and of course pints of Guinness. The encounter Matsue had with the literary great Lafcadio Hearn, who moved to Matsue in 1890, was the impetus for Matsue’s exchange with Ireland. Since 2007, Matsue has been holding Irish Festivals which also includes an appearance by St. Patrick as they parade through the city. This year (2017) marks the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Japan, and for the first time Matsue Castle will be illuminated green along with Karakoro Art Studio.

The main area of the event will take place around Karakoro Art Studio, but on the 12^th (Sun), there will be a parade where St. Patrick will make an appearance. From 11 a.m. St. Patrick will take a ride around the Horikawa moats, then from 12:30 p.m. there will be a ceremony in front of Matsue Castle, which will then be followed by a parade led by St. Patrick to Karakoro Square. There will be food stalls and performances in the streets while the basement of Karakoro Art Studio will be redecorated into an Irish pub, where live performances will be accompanied with Guinness on tap.

 

Event Info

Matsue Castle (National Treasure) Green Illumination

2/27 (Mon) – 3/17 (Fri)    6 p.m. –10 p.m.  [map]

Karakoro Art Studio Green Illumination

2/16 (Thu) – 3/17 (Fri)    6 p.m. – 10 p.m.   [map]

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE 3/12 (SUN)

●BOAT PARADE 　 *entry form required

Reception 10:30 a.m. at Matsue Castle Tourist Information Box
Start: 11 a.m. from Otemae Hiroba Boat Pier
Boat fare: [Adult] 500yen [Junior, High school student] 200 yen [Elementary >] FREE

●LAND PARADE 　*entry form required

Reception: 11:30 a.m. at Matsue Castle Tourist Information Box
Start: 12:30 p.m. (starting ceremony), 12:40 p.m. from Matsue Castle Tourist Information Box

*For those that want to participate in the parades, please fill out the form by 3/6 (Mon) and either fax or e-mail it to the address at the bottom of the form. (Link at the bottom)

IRISH EVENTS

●SONG AND DANCE PERFORMANCES

3/12 (Sun)   1:20 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Karakoro Street, Karakoro Square

●IRISH PUB “THE SHAMROCK”

3/11 (Sat)   6 p.m. – 10 p.m.  3/12 (Sun) 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Karakoro Art Studio Basement (old Bank vault)

●IRISH MUSIC WORKSHOP

3/12 (Sun)   2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Karakoro Art Studio Basement (old Bank vault)
Fee: 1,200 yen *Irish tin whistle and music sheet included in price

●FOOD STALLS

3/12 (Sun)   11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Parking lot next to Karakoro Art Studio

●IRISH SHOP

2/17 (Fri) – 3/17 (Fri)   10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Karakoro Art Studio 1^st floor

 

Wear your green, show your pride, drink some Guinness, and enjoy the live music and performances as Matsue become festive, for a weekend. “Sláinte!”

 

Watch the parade and festivals last year:

<—If you are visiting Matsue from Hiroshima,
there is 500yen bus (one-way) for you!

 

●Sanin Japan-Ireland Association  (you can download application for parade here!)
●Irish Festival in Matsue Official Facebook page