Handa-City Gon's Autumn Festival 2026
Date: Sep 26,2026(Sat) ～ Oct 4(Sun)
Enter into the world of famous children's story Gon, the Little Fox!
Gon's Autumn Festival attempts to recreate Handa-born children's book writer Nankichi Niimi's famous story Gon, the Little Fox at its setting on the Yakachi River. To further illustrate the story's atmosphere, residents even came together to grow three million red spider lilies along the banks. Come learn about Nankichi Niimi at related spots in the area, such as the Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum, as you enjoy lots of other fun planned by the locals during the event period.
Red spider lilies along the banks of Yakachi River
Nankichi Niimi is a beloved for his heartwarming stories, such as Gon, the Little Fox, Buying Mittens, and Grandfather’s Lamp, and lived near Nishio City's Yakachi River.
Locals reflected on Nankichi writing in Gon, the Little Fox how a red tapestry of the flowers bloomed continuously along the Yakachi River, and began their enormous project of turning the banks into a stunning red carpet of beautiful red spider lilies. In autumn, three million flowers dye approximately 1.5 kilometers of the banks a vibrant red color from east to west. Some say it may even be the largest blooming of red spider lilies in Japan. Come feel the presence of Nankichi and his little fox Gon among the wonderful flowers.
Related events
Red Spider Lily Wedding and Bride's Procession
• Date: Sat, Oct 3, 2026
• Times: Ceremony from 1:30 pm / Mochi rice cake toss from 2:00 pm / Bride's procession from 2:30 pm
• Locations: Yanabe Hachimansha Shrine and Yakachi Riverbank
Picture Story Street Show
Enjoy the retro storytelling method of paper props telling stories from the back of a bicycle.
• Performer: The Nankichi Niimi Snail Story Society
• Dates: Sat, Sep 26; Sun, Sep 27; Sat, Oct 3; and Sun, Oct 4, 2026
• Times: (1) 10:30 am–12:00 pm / (2) 1:30 pm–3:00 pm
• Location: Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum's outdoor rest area
Notes:
• Held at the rest area on Sat, Oct 3 and Sun, Oct 4.
• Held at the Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum library should rainy weather occur.
Illustrating the World of Gon on a Giant Canvas
This hands-on, live event lets all draw little bit of Gon the little fox's world on a huge canvas.
• Date: Sun, Oct 4, 2026
• Time: 10:30 am–4:00 pm
• Location: North of the rest area
• Instructor: Bimako
A Dream of Fireflies: Main Characters Reflecting Nankichi's Life special exhibit
Nankichi's pieces are said to have reflected a bit of himself with a certain does of creative license. His memories, ideals, and things he hadn't planned in his life can be seen in his stories.
This exhibit summarizes some of his novels while shining the light on what he had hoped to convey in them.
• Period: Sat, Jul 18–Mon, Oct 12 (national holiday), 2026
• Location: Exhibit hall, Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum
• Closed: Mon, Aug 31; Mon, Sep 7; Tue, Sep 8; and Mon, Sep 14, 2026
• Price: Available to view with the JPY 220 permanent exhibit admission fee (free of charge for junior high school ages and younger). Details available from the Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum website (External site. Japanese only.).
OTHER SPOTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA
Handa-City
- Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum
- This museum commemorates Handa-born children's book writer Nankichi Niimi (or Niimi Nankic...
Handa-City
- Yakachi River and Red Spider Lily Fields
- Be amazed by the beauty of nature! From late September to early October, the banks of the ...
Handa-City
- Handa Red Brick Building (former Kabuto Beer Brewery)
- The Handa Red Brick Building was a beer brewery built in 1898 by one of Japan's three lege...
Handa-City
- Konya-kaido Street
- This was a busy street with many dye shops during the Edo Period (1603-1867). In some area...
Handa-City
- Former Oguri Family Residence
- Presumed to have been built in the early Meiji period, this store and mansion belonged to ...
Handa-City
- Nakano Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. Kunizakari Sake Museum
- As the old song goes, "Chita’s Handa is the town of breweries". The city of Handa boasts a...
Handa-City
- Hanroku Garden
- The "Hanroku" in this garden's name refers to Hanroku Nakano of the famous Nakano family w...
Handa-City
- MIZKAN MUSEUM
- Mizkan is one of Japan's leading vinegar producers, and displays all its glory in hands-on...
Handa-City
- Handa Canal & Kura no Machi Storehouses District
- In Handa City, Aichi Prefecture, the brewing of sake, vinegar and other fermented food sto...
Event info
| Date | Sat, Sep 26–Sun, Oct 4, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Area around the Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum and banks of the Yakachi River |
| Location | 〒475-0966 1-10-1 Yanabe, Nishi-machi, Handa-shi, Aichi Note: • The map shows the location of the Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum. |
| Parking | Available, free of charge • Weekends and national holidays: Park at the temporary parking lot (Ai Plaza Handa) and take the Handa Sightseeing Bus (running free of charge weekends and national holidays only). Note: • Use of the Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum Parking Lot by anyone other than disabled eventgoers prohibited. • Weekdays: Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum Parking Lot (9:30 am–5:30 pm) and nearby pay parking lots. |
| Inquiries | 0569-32-3264 (Handa City Tourism Association) |
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
- 15-min. walk west from Handaguchi Station on the Meitetsu Kowa Line (board from Nagoya Station).
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- By car
- Approx. 5 min. (1.8 km) east from Handa-Chuo Interchange on the Chitahanto Road.
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