August
Yabuta Shrine Gion Festival
Every year on August 1, the Gan no Yama Odori dance is held during the Gion Festival to pray for recovery from illness and safety of the family. During this dance, the Gan no Yama float containing three taiko drums is pulled around the shrine grounds by 30 people, while parishioners with feathers on their heads dance and beat the drums to musical accompaniment. The dance is performed three times, with breaks in between for the return of the portable shrines.
| Date | August 1 every year |
|---|---|
| Location | Yabuta Shrine |
| Access by Public Transit | From JR Sanagu Station, take the bus bound for Ayamashisho for approximately 8 minutes and get off at Kawai |
| Access by Car | Approximately 10-minute drive from Mibuno IC on the Meihan Expressway or approximately 30-minute drive from Konan IC on the Shin-Meishin Expressway |
Shimagahara Summer Festival
Local performing arts (Arajishi taiko drumming, etc.) and nighttime shop stalls set up by local residents make this a great event for enjoying both performances and good food. The event culminates in a beautiful display of around 200 fireworks. The enormous fireworks launched last create quite the spectacle!
| Date | August 5 |
|---|---|
| Location | Shimagahara Hot Spring Resort Yabutcha |
| Access by Public Transit | 5 minutes from Shimagahara Station on the JR Kansai Main Line |
| Access by Car | Approximately 15-minute drive from Ouchi IC on the Meihan Expressway |
Menard Aoyama Resort Fireworks
This fireworks show is held at Menard Aoyama Resort, a comprehensive relaxation resort located in the Aoyama Highlands. During the festival period, approximately 500 fireworks are launched each night.
| Date | August 11 - August 14 |
|---|---|
| Location | Menard Aoyama Resort |
| Access by Public Transit | Reservation-only shuttle bus service from Iga-Kambe Station on the Kintetsu Railway available |
| Access by Car | Approximately 40 minutes from Ueno-Higashi IC on the Meihan Expressway |
Illumination Event at Iga-Ueno Castle
This historical structure, known as the “Treasure of Iga”, comes to life beautifully when illuminated. At Iga-Ueno Castle’s Honmaru Plaza, the light from the gently flickering bamboo lanterns and Japanese umbrella lights creates a whimsical atmosphere.
| Date | August 12 - August 13 |
|---|---|
| Location | Iga-Ueno Castle vicinity |
| Access by Car | Approximately 8-minute walk from Iga Railway Uenoshi Station |
| Access by Car | Approximately 10-minute drive north from Ueno-Higashi IC or 10-minute drive west from Nakase IC on the Meihan Expressway |
Ōyamada Furusato Summer Festival
This festival features a variety of performances, bazaars and food, and original fireworks shows by each district, the main event! Fireworks are launched nearby, creating a powerful spectacle that draws huge crowds.
| Date | August every year |
|---|---|
| Location | Seseragi Athletic Park |
| Access by Public Transit | From Iga Railway Uenoshi Station, take the bus bound for Shirutsuke for 24 minutes, and get off at Miyanomae. |
| Access by Car | Approximately 20 minutes from Nakase IC on the Meihan Expressway on National Route 163 |
Nigiwai Summer Festival
Rakuichi-Rakuza is a street market with a variety of performances, with "rediscovering the people, things, town, and ways of life of Iga" as its theme.
| Date | August 19 |
|---|---|
| Location | Throughout the central Ueno district in Iga |
| Access by Public Transit | Get off at Uenoshi Station on Iga Railway |
| Access by Car | 5 minutes from Nakase IC or Ueno-higashi IC on the Meihan Expressway |
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