Shinjo Festival Tours and Travel

Special feature on Japanese festivals and seasonal customs

Join Club Tourism for Festival Tours from April to November in 2024! With a tour conductor, you'll be well supported! We offer recommended tours to festivals across the country. It's easy to search and book tours.

Tohoku Area

Kanto / Koshinetsu Areas

Hokuriku Area

Tokai and Kinki Area

Shikoku Area

San'in San'yo Kyushu Okinawa area

Festivals in Tohoku area

Shinjo Festival

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

A historical picture scroll is recreated with gorgeous floats

The Shinjo Festival, which dates back to 1756 as a festival to pray for success, is so deeply etched in the hearts of the people who live here that it is said to mark the finale of the summer season.

The evening festival will be held on Aug. 24th, the main festival on Aug. 25th, and the after festival on Aug. 26th.

The floats, which have been painstakingly constructed in each neighborhood over the course of a month, are lit up and set in motion in the evening on the 24th. The floats, which recreate famous Kabuki scenes and historical picture scrolls, stand out in the darkness, creating a fantastical sight.

On the 25th, a portable shrine procession of about 200 people leaves Tozawa Shrine, attended by representatives of the Shinjo clan dressed as warriors. Afterwards, 20 gorgeous floats parade, and the venue is filled with the shouts of people dressed in happi coats singing along to the spirited festival music.

On the 26th, the festival will close with a dedication of the traditional folk performing arts "Hagino Shishido Dance" and "Yamaga Dance."