Nishio-City Nishio Gion Festival
Date: Jul 17,2026(Fri)、Jul 18(Sat)、Jul 19(Sun)
400 years of tradition and the spirit of Nishio's townsfolk
The city of Nishio's castle town has continued its Gion Festival for the past 400 years or so, and offers the spectacle of a stunning parade through the downtown area by the portable shrine of Ibun Jinja Shrine—a municipal tangible cultural folk property—as well as the municipal intangible cultural folk properties that are Sakana Town's Daimyo Parade and Tenno Town's lion dance.
More than 300 vendors, food trucks, and retail tents take up residence along the shopping street for three days! You can even take part in simultaneously held Rokumangoku Fest Nishio and other events. The Odorin Nishio communal dance festival tops the festive spirit with giant dance troupes—from children to adults—cutting a rug in decorative costumes for the Gion Festival's finale.
Feel the summer heat and take part in the passion that is the Nishio Gion Festival!
Festival details
Town gathering (Fri, Jul 17)
Festival props come together with a brilliant communal parade. Feel the history and pure passion of the festival up-close.
2,000-person bingo game (Fri, Jul 17)
2,000 passionate bingo fans come together from around the city for an exciting atmosphere as everyone enjoys the festival.
Shinto offering (Sat, Jul 18)
Parades from various towns come to make an offering to Ibun Jinja Shrine. Any photographer hoping to catch a historic structure with an aura of true passion will be pleased.
Ibun Jinja Shrine's portable shrine (Sat, Jul 18–Sun, Jul 19)
You can make a pilgrimage but not only seeing but actually passing underneath Ibun Jinja Shrine's portable shrine. This moving shrine is a special spectacle and awaits your pilgrimage with small monetary donations welcome.
Boom lifts (Sat, Jul 18–Sun, Jul 19
Take a ride up on a boom lift for a fee at the park venue. The elevator takes up to the same height as Nishio Castle's keep for a special chance to enjoy panoramic views of Nishio City.
Splawars (Sat, Jul 18–Sun, Jul 19)
This hands-on water blasting event lets you enjoy water guns during the Nishio Gion Festival. Anyone—no matter their age—is free to join and get soaked in this totally summer experience.
• Time: 11:00 am–3:00 pm
• Location: History Park, Nishio City
• Price: JPY 1,000
OTHER SPOTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA
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- Igetaya Park (Igetaya Koen)
- Nishio is famous for the production of matcha, or powdered green tea, and this park featur...
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- Nishio Castle and Former Konoe Residence (Nishio City History Park)
- The city of Nishio, in the southern area of Aichi facing the Mikawa Bay, once had its own ...
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- Matcha Museum Saijoen Wakuwaku
- This is an exciting—or <span style="font-style:italic;">wakuwaku</span> in Japanese—museum...
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- Roadside Station "Michi-no-Eki" Nishio Okanoyama
- Roadside Station "Michi-no-Eki" Nishio Okanoyama is a resting facility by the Route 23 Oka...
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- Mikawakougei Glass Art Museum
- Admire creative glass art at this museum, starting with a kaleidoscope which was certified...
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- Nishio City Ikoi-no-Noen (Relax Farm)
- Nishio City Ikoi-no-Noen is a marketplace for direct sales from the producers, the largest...
Event info
| Date | Fri, Jul 17–Sun, Jul 19, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time | • Fri, Jul 17: 6:00 pm–9:00 pm • Sat, Jul 18–Sun, Jul 19: 11:00 am–9:00 pm |
| Location | Around downtown Nishio City |
| Location | Around downtown Nishio City Note: • The map shows the location of the festival's headquarters. |
| Parking | Available Note: • Areas with traffic restrictions experience congestion. Come by public transportation if possible. |
| Inquiries | • 0563-65-2169 (Cultural Promotion Section, Nishio City Hall) • 0563-56-5151 (Nishio Chamber of Commerce and Industry) • 080-2040-4014 (number for inquiries the day of the festival) |
Note: This page may not be current due to update time differences between site databases.
Should accuracy be critical, please verify this information using a direct source, whenever possible.
DIRECTIONS
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- By public transportation
- 3-min. walk west from Nishio Station on the Meitetsu Nishio Line (board from either Shin-Anjo Station or Meitetsu Nagoya Station).
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- By car
- Approx. 45 min. from Okazaki Interchange on the Tomei Expressway.
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