Hiwasa Hachiman Shrine Autumn Festival (2026)

About this event

The 2026 Autumn Festival will be held at Hiwasa Hachiman Shrine in Minami Town, Tokushima Prefecture. Known as one of the largest festivals in the prefecture, eight brave "chosa" (drum floats) parade through the town, culminating in a march toward Ohama Beach at the climax. On Saturday, October 10 (Yoimiya/Eve Festival), starting with a ceremony from 7:30 AM, events scheduled include the town procession of portable shrines (mikoshi), the patrol of drum floats through town, maiden dances (miko-mai), dedicated children's sumo, dedicated entertainment performances, and dedicated fireworks at night. On the main festival day, Sunday, October 11, following various purification rituals from 9:00 AM, the chosa (drum floats) head to Ohama Beach for the "Ohamade" around 10:50 AM and enter Hachiman Shrine around 1:30 PM. The festival concludes with the hand-clapping ceremony (teuchi-shiki) from around 5:50 PM. When arriving by car, the Town Sports Ground (former site of Hiwasa Junior High School) can be used as temporary parking, but carpooling is recommended as it will be very crowded on the day. Additionally, detour routes must be used between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM on October 10 due to vehicle road closures on the prefectural road in front of the town hall.

Venue

Hiwasa Hachiman Shrine

369 Hiwasanoura, Minami, Kaifu District, Tokushima 779-2304