A Role of Ennichi and Jizobon in Expanding Interaction in a Local Community --Results of a Social Network Survey in Nagata Ward, Kobe City

This study examines the potential role of local festivals in enhancing communication among residents in a local community. The study focuses on two traditional local festivals, Ennichi and Jizobon, in Nagata Ward, Kobe City. We conduct a questionnaire survey to understand how these festivals form new interactions in the community, and how people enjoy communication and develop relationship based on them. The results indicate that Ennichi and Jizobon have mainly connected residents of almost homogeneous characteristics who had not had chances to meet without the festivals and have often formed strong ties among them that are expected to work during disasters. Based on the finding that organizers of the festivals have played a role of hubs of the network, the study further considers how to achieve sustainable development of the festivals and the social network in the local community