Yabe Hassaku Festival 2026

About this event

Boasting a tradition of approximately 270 years, the 'Yabe Hassaku Festival' will be held over two days on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2026, throughout the Hamamachi Shopping Arcade area in Yamato Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. The catchphrase is 'A competition of giant crafted figures woven by timeless nature and approximately 270 years of traditional craftsmanship'. Originating as a festival to pray for rich harvests and bountiful crops starting on the first day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar (Hassaku), the main attraction of the festival is the powerful 'Ozukurimono' (giant crafted figures) built by various union guilds competing in craftsmanship using natural materials such as bamboo, cedar, Japanese pampas grass, and pine cones. Various sculptures of historical figures, animals, mythical creatures, and more paraded through the town accompanied by Hassaku bayashi music create a spectacular sight. On Saturday, September 5, group dances and parades start at 15:00, followed by a fireworks display around Tsujun Bridge at 19:30. On Sunday, September 6, group dances and parades will be held starting at 10:00, the parade of giant figures will depart from near the headquarters around noon, and ongoing judging of the giant figures will be conducted from 13:00. Special Hassaku Festival water discharges from the national treasure 'Tsujun Bridge' will also be carried out during the festival period, offering a magnificent view. Water will be powerfully discharged from the top of the bridge a total of 6 times: on September 5 at (1) 13:00, (2) 16:00, (3) 19:30, and on September 6 at (1) 11:00, (2) 13:00, (3) 15:00. Shuttle buses are also scheduled to operate on September 6. Additionally, the 'Hassaku Festival Giant Figures Gathering Festival @ Yamato Bunka no Mori' has been announced for Saturday, November 14 through Monday (National Holiday), November 23.

Venue

Hamamachi Bridge

Hamamachi, Yamato, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto 861-3518