Name: Esashi Kamome Island Festival
Start: 2026-07-04
End: 2026-07-05
Location: Kamome Island

Held on Kamome Island, this is one of Esashi Town’s three major festivals. It features Shinto rites praying for maritime safety and a good catch, a Kitamaebune boat race, traditional performing arts, stage events, and fireworks.

About Esashi Kamome Island Festival

Esashi Kamome Island Festivalの記録写真：File:江差かもめ島まつり04-宮司による海の修祓（2019年）.jpg — Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: BATACHAN File:江差かもめ島まつり04-宮司による海の修祓（2019年）.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.

Esashi Kamome Island Festivalの記録写真：File:江差かもめ島まつり・厳島神社例大祭（神輿海上渡御）08-発輿（2019年）.jpg — Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: BATACHAN File:江差かもめ島まつり・厳島神社例大祭（神輿海上渡御）08-発輿（2019年）.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.

The Esashi Kamome Island Festival is held on Kamome Island and in its surroundings in Esashi Town, Hokkaido. It is a festival where visitors can experience the traditions of the sea and the local community.

Events center on the Itsukushima Shrine Grand Festival and include Shinto rites praying for maritime safety and a good catch, stage programs on the island, and food stalls.

It is counted as one of Esashi Town’s three major festivals, sharing the town’s culture and relationship with the sea against the backdrop of Kamome Island.

It was announced as scheduled to be held on July 4 and the 5th in 2026.

Source: 73st Esashi Kamome Island Festival – EN：江差町観光協会 / 江差かもめ島まつり｜イベント｜【公式】北海道の観光・旅行情報サイト HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Festival highlights

Highlights include the rite of replacing the large on Heishi Rock and the Itsukushima Shrine Grand Festival.

In 2026, traditional performing arts by Esashi High School students, the Kitamaebune boat race, a public lighthouse opening, and stage events are scheduled.

July 4In the evening, a fireworks display is also held, with launches from the west breakwater of Kamome Island.

Esashi’s summer festival, featuring sea rituals and a Kitamaebune boat race

What to expect

On the first day, ongoing events and stage programs on the island begin around midday. Events include a patrol boat display and trial cruise, traditional performing arts, a karaoke grand prix, and music and dance performances.

A fireworks display is scheduled for the evening.

On the second day, events include the Itsukushima Shrine Grand Festival, mochi throwing, a lighthouse open house, a puzzle-solving activity, and character shows. A Kitamaebune boat race is also held below the island.

Source: 江差かもめ島まつり（７月） – 江差町観光情報

Location and access

Venue and address

Kamome Island and its surroundings, Esashi Town, Hiyama District, Hokkaido.

By car

About 70 minutes from Ochibe IC on the Hokkaido Expressway.

About 90 minutes from JR Hakodate Station.

Parking

200 spaces, free.

Address Esashi Town, Hiyama District, Hokkaido

Open in Google Maps

Travel by taxi PRFind a taxi or private transfer for your journey.Find a taxi on Kiwitaxi Long-distance buses are another option PRFind routes and fares from your departure point to your destination.Find highway buses on Rakuten Travel

Dates and season

2026 Event Information (the listed dates have passed)

The event was announced as scheduled to take place over 2 days in 2026, on July 4 (Saturday) and the 5th (Sunday).

The first day is scheduled for 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the second day for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It is usually held on the first Saturday and Sunday of July.

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Hokkaido / Esashi Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

Supported by Rakuten Developers

Tips for your visit

Program start times may vary depending on how the day’s events are running.

Maritime events and outdoor activities may be changed depending on the weather and sea conditions.

Past notices have reported that, in severe weather, events such as the maritime procession, boat races, and stage performances have been canceled or moved to another venue, so check the day’s event status before setting out.

Source: 江差かもめ島祭り - Wikipedia

Nearby attractions

Kamome Island, the festival venue, is itself described as a symbol of the area beside Esashi Port.

Nearby attractions listed include Ubagami Daijingu, Esashi Inishie Road, the Former Nakamura Residence, and the Esashi Oiwake Hall and Esashi Hall.

You can combine the festival with visits to places around the venue connected to Esashi Town’s history and culture.

Museums · 美術館の汎用イラスト（AI生成 · 実際の施設ではありません） — Illustration for reference

Museums and art museumsEsashi Town

江差追分会館・江差山車会館

北海道江差町にある展示施設

Visit the official page ↗

Photo and data sources

Facility data source

Origins and History of Esashi Kamome Island Festival

The origins of the Shinto rites at the heart of the festival are said to be linked to the legend of Orii, or Otonari, of Ubagami Daijingu.

In the past, the festivals of both shrines were held in alternating years as a joint festival of two shrines: Benten Shrine on Kamome Island—now Itsukushima Shrine—and Ubagami Daijingu, of which it was a subsidiary shrine.

In 1862, the festivals separated and became independent. Today, the festival is said to center on the Itsukushima Shrine rites associated with Heishi Rock.

Official information

Event information is available on Esashi Town Tourism Information’s “Esashi Kamome Island Festival (July).”

Information from the Esashi Tourism and Convention Association is listed for the 2026 event dates, program, and inquiries.

Contact: Esashi Tourism and Convention Association, tel. 0139-52-4815.