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. Karakoro Art Studio will be illuminated green every day from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. until March 17^th.

The main area of the event will take place around Karakoro Art Studio, but on the 11^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 there will be live music and drinks.

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. – 12 p.m.   [map]

PATRICK’S DAY PARADE 3/11 (SUN)

●BOAT PARADE　*entry form required

Start: 11:00 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)

 *For those that want to participate in the parades, please fill out the form by 3/5 (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

3/11 (Sun)   1:20 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Karakoro Square

●IRISH PUB “THE SHAMROCK”

3/10 (Sat)   5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Karakoro Art Studio Basement (old Bank vault)

Fee:  2,500 yen (one drink incl.) / *[presale] 2,000 yen (one drink incl.)

●IRISH MUSIC GARDEN

3/11 (Sun)   11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Karakoro Garden Terrace

●FOOD STALLS

3/11 (Sun)   11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Parking lot next to Karakoro Art Studio

●IRISH SHOP

2/16 (Fri) – 3/17 (Fri)   10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (closed on Thurs)
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 recap from 2016:

<—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