Great bon dance
A grand communal Owari/Nagoya-style bon dance is held for a crazy nine days full of history, style, and originality! Crowd around the unique center stage made entirely of Japanese cypress as you dance together with countless others. Plus, Friday, August 15 is Grampus Day, celebrating Nagoya's soccer team.
• Dates and time: 6:00 pm–8:00 pm; Sat, Aug 9–Sun, Aug 17, 2025
• Location: Nishi-no-Maru area
Shachi Cafeteria
Cool off in the hot summer heat with fluffy shaved ice, chilled beer, go-to festival foods and local specialties, plus other eats at food and drink booths.
• Dates and time: 4:00 pm–8:30 pm; Sat, Aug 9–Sun, Aug 17, 2025
• Location: Nishi-no-Maru area and Ni-no-Maru area
Shachi Plaza
Enjoy all sorts of play for any age from kids to adults. You can even scoop up goldfish from Yatomi City, famous for its thriving goldfish industry.
• Dates and time: 4:00 pm–8:30 pm; Sat, Aug 9–Sun, Aug 17, 2025
• Location: Nishi-no-Maru area
Special opening of important cultural property Southwest Corner Watchtower
Of the three corner watchtowers remaining from the Edo period, the Southwest Corner Watchtower is open to the public for a limited time. Don't miss this special opportunity to take a walk through the past.
• Dates and time: 9:00 am–4:15 pm (admission until 4:00 pm); Sat, Aug 9–Sun, Aug 17, 2025
• Location: Southwest Corner Watchtower
Matchlock rifle demonstration
Owari Tatsuke-style gunnery passed down to the former Owari Province, which once acted as home to the Nagoya area, comes back through a real-life demonstration. You'll be taken aback by the sheer power these antique rifles rear.
• Dates and time: From 6:00 pm; Sun, Aug 17, 2025
• Location: Nishi-no-Maru Area
Other events too are available during the event period, so don't be a stranger to Nagoya Castle this summer!