Kinosaki Onsen’s Crab Kingdom Shouting Contest begins with “Thank you, crabs!”

Compete to shout the loudest after the kingdom’s opening declaration

In Kinosaki Onsen, the crab season begins with the Crab Kingdom’s opening ceremony and declaration, followed by the contest. As part of the festivities that continue after the ceremony, it is a programme to enjoy as the crab season gets underway.

In the contest, participants first shout “Thank you, crabs!” and then add words of their own. After the set phrase, you can choose whatever you like to say. Since the contest is about who can shout the loudest, thinking about what to say beforehand is part of the fun.

Prizes are not limited to the top-ranked participants. The official information lists Matsuba crab as the prize for first, second and third place; other published information says top finishers receive Tsuiyama crab, a brand of Matsuba crab. Other awards include the King’s Prize, Hospitality Minister’s Prize and Humour Prize.

Participants also receive seko crab as a participation prize. Alongside the contest to see who can shout the loudest, the event’s distinctive character comes from each participant choosing their own words and shouting them out.

Check eligibility and registration time before you take part

The contest is open to tourists aged elementary-school age and older, with a limit of two participants per family. If you are planning to take part as a family, deciding who will participate in line with these requirements can make it easier to plan your day.

Registration starts at 10:30, and the contest is scheduled to begin at around 11:20. As the start time is given as an estimate, make a note of both the registration opening time and the scheduled start. The available information does not give the entry fee or detailed instructions for registering on the day, so do not assume there is a fee; check the organiser’s information before taking part.

The venue is the event plaza in front of JR Kinosaki Onsen Station, at Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture. Check the venue name and address on a map before setting out.