Goya
In Kumamoto, the eve before the festival is described as the evening to protect the deities through the night and is called goya. Festival pre-events are also called goya.
On the night of November 22nd, a number of floats and other pieces in the procession are exhibited in the Hon-machi Arcade in the center of the city, including the kasaboko, Kida, and shishi lions that have been dedicated to the festival. Organizations that have offered these objects to the festival and local leaders set up teams to show off their enthusiasm for the festival the next day.
Stages are also set up in the arcade, festive with the din and bustle of crowds of people, and traditional performance art festivals are held to showcase folk cultural properties, such as the Kagura and Bō-odori, or bar dance.
