Photo= A participant throws the "Kawarake" tile, aiming at the Torii gate below (November 26, 2017, Tsukubusuma Shrine, Hayazaki-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture) = Provided by Nagahama City

The Nagahama Tourism Association in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture has been seeking contestants for "Chikubushima Kawarake-nage Senshuken," or the Kawarake Throwing Championship, which will be held on Chikubushima Island in Hayazaki-cho, Nagahama City on November 18.

There are two categories: the Japanese section and the foreigner section which is for tourists and exchange students. The participants will throw "Kawarake," or ceramic plates about 5 cm in diameter, from the Ryujin place of worship in Tsukubusuma Shrine through the two pillars of the Torii gate which is located approximately 15 meters away. The winners are decided by a tournament method. The champions of both sections will receive two free tickets for accommodation in Nagahama City and the Chikubushima Cruise for sightseeing.

Entrants will gather at Nagahama Port, Minato-machi, Nagahama City, at 10 a.m. on that day. The participation fee for Japanese people is 3,000 yen for junior high school students or older and 2,000 yen for elementary school students. It includes the boat passage, lunch, etc. Foreigners may participate free of charge if they introduce this event or information related to Chikubushima Island sightseeing via posts on social networking service (SNS), or other methods. Each section is limited to 50 people on a first-come-first-served basis. Reservations can be made as depicted on the association's web site, etc. In case of rain, the event will be postponed to November 25. For more information, call the association at 0749-65-6521.