Kintaikyo Festival

Last Updated on March 27, 2025

Event Overview

Each year, on April 29th, a national holiday commemorating the birthday of Emperor Hirohito (Showa Emperor), the Kintai-kyo Bridge Festival takes place in Iwakuni. This event, centered around the iconic and visually stunning five-span arched Kintai Bridge, draws large crowds and provides a day of entertainment.

A key highlight of the festival is the re-enactment of the departure of the local daimyo, or feudal lord, and his entourage for Edo, a requirement of the sankin-kotai system imposed by the Tokugawa Shogunate. The procession, featuring men and women dressed in vibrant period costumes, typically crosses the bridge around 2pm.

Following the parades, local volunteers, clad in Edo Era armor, demonstrate the firing of antique matchlock guns, accompanied by performances of Japanese taiko drumming.

Attendees can also enjoy various other demonstrations and performances, as well as a wide array of food and drink stalls commonly found at Japanese festivals.

The sankin-kotai system, a strategic measure implemented by the Tokugawa Shogunate to control its powerful vassals, mandated that local lords (daimyo) spend alternate years in the capital, Edo.

Over time, a competitive culture emerged, with daimyo vying to outdo each other in the grandeur of their processions, often at significant financial expense. The festival’s parade reenacts the local daimyo’s return from the capital with his entourage.

Over a two-and-a-half-hour period, various groups traverse the bridge’s five arches, some performing elaborate and skillful maneuvers.

The procession culminates with the daimyo, high-ranking vassals, and women dressed in beautifully colored kimonos. Notably, some participants, who are members of the local US Marine base in Iwakuni, stand out from the rest.

The procession is slow-moving, but, as the bridge is closed to the public during this time, it provides a captivating spectacle reminiscent of historical woodblock prints. Concurrently, a group of volunteers, dressed in samurai armor, demonstrate 17th-century gunplay on the riverside using antique weapons.

Given that the bridge is closed to the public during the parade, it’s advisable to secure a viewing spot well in advance. The parade reenacts the daimyo’s return, crossing the bridge toward the park beneath Iwakuni Castle.

The firearms display takes place on the opposite riverbank, near the parking area.

In addition to the usual festival food stalls, which offer local delicacies such as Iwakuni’s “box sushi” and lotus root (renkon).

Attendees can enjoy Japanese tea served by ladies in kimono in a tea garden and explore a large flea market along the riverbank.

If you are fortunate, some cherry blossoms may still be in bloom. Regardless, the festival, given good weather, provides an enjoyable day out.

Venue Information

Location: Kintai-kyo Bridge, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, 741-0062

Dates: April 29th 2025

Opening Times: 09:00 to 15:30

Entry Cost

Free.

Event Details

Getting There