Every fall, the fields of Niigata, Japan transform into something magical. After the rice harvest, farmers are left with an abundance of straw, known locally as wara. Traditionally, this leftover straw is used as fertilizer or animal feed—but since 2008, it’s taken on a far more creative purpose: becoming massive works of art at the Wara Art Festival.
The 2025 festival brings a new theme: “Awakening the Sleeping Beasts of Echigo.” Echigo, once a historic province now part of modern-day Niigata, inspires this year’s five towering straw sculptures. Visitors will find fantastical creatures from folklore, including a giant fish symbolizing Niigata, a golden turtle, a water dragon, a mystical nine-tailed fox, and a fierce feline paying tribute to the legendary “Tiger of Echigo,” Nagao Kagetora.
Originally a collaboration with students from Musashino Art University, the festival now welcomes talents from the Tohoku University of Art and Design and the Nagaoka University of Design. This not only pushes creativity further but also builds community pride as locals and visitors gather to admire these one-of-a-kind creations.
Set in the scenic Uwasekigata Park, the sculptures will be on view until October 31. By day, you can marvel at the craftsmanship and scale of these straw beasts; by dusk, they glow under festival lights, creating a truly otherworldly experience. Beyond the art, the Nishikan Market offers local food, drinks, and crafts, making it the perfect cultural outing.
The Wara Art Festival continues to show how tradition, imagination, and community can come together to create something extraordinary. If you can’t make it in person, follow the festival on Instagram for glimpses of these awe-inspiring straw creatures.
