03:32Hundreds descended on the city of Kishiwada in Osaka Prefecture on Sunday for 'Danjiri Matsuri' an adrenaline-fuelled high-speed cart-pulling festival which dates back hundreds of years.
Footage shows crowds of spectators gathering as teams race through the streets, dragging large wooden carts, known as 'Danjiri' behind them.
Drivers are seen mounted atop the wagons, controlling their direction, while other participants are shown performing traditional fan dances, beating drums and playing flutes.
Each cart represents a different neighbourhood in Kishiwada. They are meticulously crafted from zelkova wood and feature carvings depicting historic battles from Japan’s ancient history.
“There are big Danjiri floats from 22 towns, each weighing about four tons. The carved wooden decorations are famous," a participant said.
The festival kicks of with the 'Hiki-dashi' or opening pull, where all 22 carts hurtle through the streets, rattling around sharp corners in a test of speed, strength and coordination.
The race also comes with risks, in 2022, one person was killed and three others injured when a car overturned during a trial run.
Danjiri Matsuri is believed to have originated in 1703 as a celebration of a bountiful harvest and has since become one of Japan's most famous and spectacular festivals.
Fast and furious! Teams race high-speed carts as Danjiri Matsuri returns to Osaka Prefecture
Hundreds descended on the city of Kishiwada in Osaka Prefecture on Sunday for 'Danjiri Matsuri' an adrenaline-fuelled high-speed cart-pulling festival which dates back hundreds of years.
Footage shows crowds of spectators gathering as teams race through the streets, dragging large wooden carts, known as 'Danjiri' behind them.
Drivers are seen mounted atop the wagons, controlling their direction, while other participants are shown performing traditional fan dances, beating drums and playing flutes.
Each cart represents a different neighbourhood in Kishiwada. They are meticulously crafted from zelkova wood and feature carvings depicting historic battles from Japan’s ancient history.
“There are big Danjiri floats from 22 towns, each weighing about four tons. The carved wooden decorations are famous," a participant said.
The festival kicks of with the 'Hiki-dashi' or opening pull, where all 22 carts hurtle through the streets, rattling around sharp corners in a test of speed, strength and coordination.
The race also comes with risks, in 2022, one person was killed and three others injured when a car overturned during a trial run.
Danjiri Matsuri is believed to have originated in 1703 as a celebration of a bountiful harvest and has since become one of Japan's most famous and spectacular festivals.
Hundreds descended on the city of Kishiwada in Osaka Prefecture on Sunday for 'Danjiri Matsuri' an adrenaline-fuelled high-speed cart-pulling festival which dates back hundreds of years.
Footage shows crowds of spectators gathering as teams race through the streets, dragging large wooden carts, known as 'Danjiri' behind them.
Drivers are seen mounted atop the wagons, controlling their direction, while other participants are shown performing traditional fan dances, beating drums and playing flutes.
Each cart represents a different neighbourhood in Kishiwada. They are meticulously crafted from zelkova wood and feature carvings depicting historic battles from Japan’s ancient history.
“There are big Danjiri floats from 22 towns, each weighing about four tons. The carved wooden decorations are famous," a participant said.
The festival kicks of with the 'Hiki-dashi' or opening pull, where all 22 carts hurtle through the streets, rattling around sharp corners in a test of speed, strength and coordination.
The race also comes with risks, in 2022, one person was killed and three others injured when a car overturned during a trial run.
Danjiri Matsuri is believed to have originated in 1703 as a celebration of a bountiful harvest and has since become one of Japan's most famous and spectacular festivals.