Kawanabe Gion Festival & Fireworks Display
Japanese name:川辺祇園祭・花火大会
📅 Sat, Sep 19, 2026
About this event
Continuing since 1925 (Taisho 14), the "Kawanabe Gion Festival" is a ritual festival of Yasaka Shrine, praying for the warding off of epidemics, protection against evil, bountiful harvests, and business prosperity. The shopping street becomes a pedestrian paradise, where gorgeously decorated imperial carriages (goshoguruma), festival floats, portable shrines (mikoshi), and dancing groups parade through. At the fireworks display, music fireworks launched rhythmically in sync with music bring the finale to a close. The Gion Festival will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 16:00 on the Kawanabe Kaiun Yume-dori Shopping Street, featuring divine processions and parades. The fireworks display will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 17:00 to 20:30 at the Suwa Athletic Park Track and Field Stadium.
Official website (Japanese) ↗Venue
Minamikyushu City Suwa Track and Field Stadium
Hirayama, Kawanabe-cho, Minamikyushu, Kagoshima 897-0215
Open in Google Maps ↗