Hanamaki Festival

The Hanamaki Festival is a major traditional event with a history of over 430 years.

This festival showcases the rich and vibrant culture of Hanamaki City in Iwate Prefecture.

It is famous for five main highlights that are passed down through generations.

One key feature is the majestic portable shrine, or mikoshi, parade, which once set a world record for the number of mikoshi displayed at once.

Another highlight is the parade of beautiful and elegant floats, uniquely lit by the flickering flames of acetylene gas lights.

The powerful Deer Dance is also performed, with dancers carrying drums on their bellies and dancing to their own dynamic beat.

Visitors can also see the ancient Kagura Gongen Dance, a tradition passed down from mountain ascetics that prays for good harvests and safety.

Finally, the elegant Hanamaki Bayashi Dance is performed by a large number of dancers moving forward in a spectacular procession.

Event Details

• Dates
  • The festival will be held from Friday, September 12th to Sunday, September 14th, 2025.
• Schedule
  • Friday, Sep 12
    • The festival begins with Kagura Gongen Dance performances, followed by mikoshi and float parades in the evening, concluding with a Bonfire Deer Dance.
  • Saturday, Sep 13
    • The day features a Children’s Mikoshi Parade and Deer Dance performances, with the main float and mikoshi parades taking over in the evening.
  • Sunday, Sep 14
    • The final day includes the Hanamaki Bayashi Dance and more float and mikoshi parades throughout the afternoon and evening.
• Location
  • The main venue is the Festival Square in the Kamimachi area of Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.
• Admission
  • Viewing the festival is free.
• Please Note
  • Some events may be cancelled or moved to an indoor venue in case of rain.
  • It is always recommended to check official sources before attending.

Directions & Travel Information

• By Train
  • The main access station for the city is Hanamaki Station.
  • From Hanamaki Station
    • The main festival venue is approximately a 15-minute walk from the station.

Event Summary

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