The "Gion Festival," held on Himakajima Island on the second Saturday of July every year, is also known as the "Hourokku Festival" and "Ryugu Festival," and boasts a history of about 250 years. It is a grand maritime memorial festival in which sacred fire is offered to the dragon god (sea god) to pray for a bountiful catch and safety at sea. Dozens of young men board "Yakata-bune" boats, which are decorated with lanterns. Onboard, they light torches stacked in unglazed hourokku (earthenware pans) collected from households across the island and float them out to sea. The enchanting hourokku offerings drifting on the water resemble a fishing scene, and the simultaneously held fireworks display is also quite impressive.