Two crushed to death at Japanese float festival, 16 injured
Participants in the Danjiri Matsuri maneuver massive wooden structures through city streets, a practice that has claimed lives in recent years.
By Kwame Silva ·
Two people were crushed to death and 16 others were injured in Osaka, Japan, during the Danjiri Matsuri festival this week. The annual event involves large groups of men hauling top-heavy wooden floats through narrow streets. The incident adds to a growing list of fatalities associated with the tradition.
The festival takes place in the fall across several regions of Japan. Participants wear matching cotton coats called happi and shorts. They are assigned specific numbers to manage the order of lifting and carrying. The wooden structures, known as danjiri, are heavy and top-loaded, requiring coordinated effort to move.
In 2022 and 2023, four other deaths were recorded in connection with similar events, according to a review by The New York Times. The 2026 Osaka incident marks the latest high-profile tragedy in a series of accidents that have raised safety concerns among locals and visitors alike.
Sam, a Chicago resident and recent visitor to Japan, participated in the festival alongside his wife, Yuri. He described the experience as a mix of intense physical labor and organized chaos. He noted that the group he joined consisted of 40 to 50 people, smaller than the 200-person crews seen at other locations.
"Obviously, there is some trepidation regarding that," Sam said. "It's not lost on us that this is a dangerous event, that people get hurt all the time." He recalled a moment during a turn where the physics of the float shifted weight onto his shoulder, creating a brief but intense pressure.
Alcohol is a common part of the event, contributing to the energetic atmosphere but also increasing the risk of accidents. Participants often consume beer before taking on the heavy lifting. The chants used to coordinate the heaves are traditional and loud, serving as a rhythm for the group.
The next scheduled step for participants is the return to the shrine for the final lap. After the lifting is complete, the floats are secured. For Sam, the experience concluded with a sense of accomplishment. He stated that he is ready to return next year, viewing the festival as a unique cultural opportunity.
The event remains a popular destination for tourists seeking immersive cultural experiences. Despite the documented risks, the tradition continues to draw large crowds. The combination of physical exertion and communal celebration defines the Danjiri Matsuri for those who take part.
