The birthplace of the koinobori – Koinobori festival
The koinobori matsuri (festival) of Tsuetate Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of the koinobori. It is a festival with a history of about 40 years. There are so many koi swimming very graciously. Just look at the vivid colors.
At night the wind calms down so they do not swim so energetically, but the lighting gives off a very mystical atmosphere.
Going downstream from the Tsuetate River where the koinobori are displayed, there is a Momiji bridge where many Ema are hung. In Japan, there are things called Ema which are wooden votive tablets depicting the image of a horse, but these are Egoi depicting koi. If you look closely, you can see they are shaped like koi fish. Since koi, the carp is pronounced the same as the word 恋koi for love, it has been said that making a wish on these egoi will help you meet your true love!