Ayabe Minazuki Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the colorful lanterns drifting slowly along the Yura River and fireworks launched from near the river.

The lanterns are set afloat on the river one by one from boats, and the washi-paper lanterns cast their light on the water.

In addition to fireworks, Ayabe taiko performances touring the town and “Ayabe Yosakoi” dancing add to the festivities.

From dusk into the night, visitors can enjoy lights, music, dancing, and fireworks in succession.

The Minazuki Festival lights up Ayabe’s summer with lanterns on the Yura River and fireworks

What to expect

The festival features Ayabe taiko performances touring the town center, a food-stall village, and Ayabe Yosakoi dancing, followed by a lantern-dedication ceremony, lantern floating, and fireworks.

During the lantern floating, participants aboard boats wear life jackets and follow staff instructions as they set the lanterns afloat on the river.

As lights spread across the Yura River at night, visitors watch the fireworks.

In 2026, a cleanup activity called “Clean Minazuki” was also held the following day.

Source: あやべ水無月まつり 公式サイト

How to take part

General visitors can watch the food-stall village, dancing, lantern floating, and fireworks.

The lantern floaters are citizen volunteers recruited through an open application process, and participants were also recruited for fiscal 2026.

However, registration for 2026 lantern-floaters has closed because the capacity has been reached.

When recruitment is open, there is an opportunity to take part in some festival activities, not just watch.

For the 2026 event, applicants wishing to help float lanterns were asked to complete the participation form and apply to the “Minazuki Manto” desk of the Ayabe Minazuki Festival Executive Committee.

The deadline was June 26, 2026, and the capacity was 30 people.

Businesses and organizations could apply for special lantern dedications by sending an application form by fax. The dedication fee was listed as 2,000 yen per unit.

Recruitment of lantern-floaters has closed because the capacity has been reached.

Check participation details

Location and access

Venue and address

Across central Ayabe and around the Yura River.

The address is Namimatsu-cho, Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture.

Train and bus

A 15-minute walk from Ayabe Station on the JR San’in Main Line.

Other information says it is about a 10-minute walk or about 5 minutes by taxi or similar transport from Ayabe Station on the JR West Maizuru Line.

By car

About 5 minutes from the Ayabe IC on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway.

Viewing from bridges and stopping or parking on the Tanba Bridge and Shin-Ayabe Bridge are prohibited.

Parking

For fiscal 2026, a temporary parking area was available by advance reservation and for a fee.

綾部市役所、第2市民グラウンドなどがあり、利用時間は15:00〜23:00、駐車券の事前印刷が必要です。

Source: あやべ水無月まつり | イベント一覧 | 京都府観光連盟公式サイト / あやべ水無月まつり 会場 · Transportation

Address Namimatsu-cho, Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed event date has passed)

In 2026, it was held on July 25 (Saturday).

Main events included taiko performances, a food-stall village, dancing, lantern floating, and fireworks.

The official information states that the 2026 festival has ended.

It is usually held on the 4th Saturday of July.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Take care for safety along the riverbank and on bridges.

Please refrain from reserving spots with mats on the levee, viewing from bridges, or stopping or parking on bridges.

If watching in rainy weather, use a raincoat rather than an umbrella, and do not use fire along the riverbank.

Entry may be restricted when it is crowded, and visitors must take their rubbish home.

Nearby attractions

Nearby attractions include Shisuigaoka Park, Ayabe Baisyoen (Oomoto), Konohana-an (the former Okahana family residence), Ayabe Specialty Products Hall, Ayabe Gunze Square, and Ayabe Rose Garden.

You can plan an itinerary that combines the festival in central Ayabe with visits to the Yura River area and cultural and tourist attractions around the city.

Before visiting, check each facility’s information for its operating status and opening hours.

Origins and History of Ayabe Minazuki Festival

Lantern floating is said to have begun around the late Meiji period, when residents of Namimatsu floated lanterns down the river to honor their ancestors.

Later, local residents who had organized boat excursions and similar activities helped promote the lantern floating. The Ayabe Jitsugyokai, which worked to develop tourism along the Yura River, helped the event grow into a festival centered on fireworks and lantern floating.

Today, it continues as a local event that receives lantern dedications praying for peace and family safety.

Official information

Official information is available on the Ayabe Minazuki Festival Executive Committee’s website.

You can check information about the 2026 event date, the day’s activities, lantern floating, fireworks, the venue and transportation, parking, and paid seating.

The festival is organized by the Ayabe Minazuki Festival Executive Committee, with the Ayabe Chamber of Commerce and Industry serving as its secretariat.

Ayabe Minazuki Festival at a Glance

The Ayabe Minazuki Festival is a summer festival in Ayabe, centered on lanterns floating down the Yura River and fireworks, with taiko, dancing, and a food-stall village to enjoy as well.

Lantern floating, which originated as a memorial service for ancestors, became connected with lantern dedications praying for peace and family safety, carrying the area’s history into the present.

In 2026, it was held on July 25, with events across central Ayabe and around the Yura River.

Before visiting, check the viewing rules along the riverbank and on bridges, traffic restrictions, and parking conditions.