A festival where a bonten mikoshi passes through Uji on a night with the lights extinguished
Agata Festival
The 2026 edition of Agata Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/06/05 〜 2026/06/06Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year, from June 5 until the early hours of the 6th / Every year
- Location
- Agata Shrine and the areas around Uji Bridge Street, Agata Street, and Honmachi Street
- Area
- Kyoto Prefecture・Uji City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Agata Festival, held at Agata Shrine in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, is known for its bonten proceeding through the darkness with the lights extinguished. From the night of June 5 until the early hours of the 6th, you can enjoy unique nighttime festivities and street stalls along the route.
About Agata Festival
The Agata Festival is held at Agata Shrine in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture.
Every year, a bonten procession takes place from June 5 into the following day, the 6th, with a mikoshi called a bonten carried by its bearers.
Because the mikoshi proceeds through darkness after the lights along the route are extinguished, the festival is also known as the “strange festival of the dark night.”
Source: 県祭り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the bonten procession passing through the darkness, with the lights along the route turned off.
It is said that as the mikoshi bearers make their way forward, homes also welcome them with their lights extinguished, creating a unique atmosphere of stillness and tension.
Street stalls are also set up on the night of June 5, remaining open until around 10 p.m.
A festival where a bonten mikoshi passes through Uji on a night with the lights extinguished
What to expect
The festival features a late-night mikoshi procession known as the bonten procession.
The mikoshi is carried by men from the local community as it proceeds from around Agata Shrine through the town of Uji.
The lights are extinguished along the route as the procession passes, and street stalls are set up during part of the evening.
Source: 令和8年 あがた祭の交通規制について | 宇治商工会議所
Location and access
- Venue and address
The festival takes place mainly at Agata Shrine (72 Uji Renge, Uji City), and around Uji Bridge Street, Agata Street, and Honmachi Street.
Visitors are advised to use public transportation whenever possible.
- By car
Temporary traffic restrictions will be in effect around Uji Bridge Street, Agata Street, and Honmachi Street on the day of the festival.
Check the traffic restriction map for details.
Source: あがた祭のこと | 宇治橋通り商店街ーサイト
Address 〒611-0021 72 Uji Renge, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Event Information (the listed dates have passed)
The schedule announced for the 2026 Agata Festival followed the usual pattern, running from June 5 until the early hours of the 6th.
Street stalls are said to be open until around 10 p.m. on the night of June 5, and the bonten procession takes place late at night.
As the festivities take place at night, what you can see varies depending on the time.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kyoto Prefecture / Uji City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Heavy crowds are expected on the day of the festival, and temporary traffic restrictions will be in effect around Uji Bridge Street, Agata Street, and Honmachi Street.
If traveling to the area by car, check the restricted zones and permitted routes in advance.
During the late-night bonten procession, the lights along the route are turned off, so follow local notices and staff directions while watching.
Nearby attractions
ニンテンドーミュージアム
京都府宇治市にある資料館
宇治上神社
京都府宇治市にある神社
宇治市源氏物語ミュージアム
京都府宇治市の博物館
Origins and History of Agata Festival
The Agata Festival is said to have originated with the Michiae Festival, held by the Fujiwara clan in hopes of preserving peace in Uji.
In the past, it was held on day 15 of lunar month 5 and has been passed down as a festival that led to the present-day bonten procession.
Following recent years of separate celebrations over disagreements about festival management, it is said that those involved reached an agreement to consolidate the festival under Agata Shrine from 2026 onward.
Official information
For information about 2026 traffic restrictions, the Uji Chamber of Commerce and Industry has published a notice titled “Traffic Restrictions for the Agata Festival.”
Information is provided about temporary traffic restrictions around Uji Bridge Street, Agata Street, and Honmachi Street, as well as the recommendation to use public transportation.
An overview of the festival and the venue address can also be found in information from Uji Bridge Street Shopping District.
Agata Festival at a Glance
The Agata Festival is held mainly at Agata Shrine in Uji City and is known for its bonten procession through the darkness.
From the night of June 5 until the early hours of the 6th, the mikoshi proceeds along streets where the lights have been extinguished, and street stalls are set up.
Traffic congestion and restrictions on nearby roads are announced for 2026, so it is best to use public transportation and follow nighttime directions while watching the festivities.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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