Since 1947, the Basho Festival has been held yearly on October 12, Basho’s death anniversary. The forerunner of this festival was the Shigure Memorial Day which was held yearly from 1694 to 1946. Besides a ceremony, a national haiku contest is held and pilgrimages are made to places of interest related to Basho. This poetic event captures the spirit of the culture and history of this wonderful mountain town.