A Fukushima summer festival where a giant straw sandal and live music move through the streets
Fukushima Waraji Festival
The 2026 edition of Fukushima Waraji Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/07 〜 2026/08/09Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year, from the first Friday to Sunday of August / Every year
- Location
- Shinobu-dori on National Route 13 and Ekimae-dori; Haguro Shrine
- Area
- Fukushima Prefecture・Fukushima City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 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
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Paid spectator seating is available. Prices are listed by seating category.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Fukushima Waraji Festival brightens up summer in Fukushima City. A giant straw sandal rooted in the Shinobu Sanzan Akatsuki Mairi moves through the streets amid dancing and live flute and drum music.
About Fukushima Waraji Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Ka23 13 File:Fukushima 20200808 184612.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: m-sasaki File:Fukushima oowaraji xl.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 https://search.find47.jp/ja/i/0RW6z.htmlDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Ka23 13 File:Fukushima 20200808 174328.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Fukushima Waraji Festival is one of Fukushima City’s signature summer festivals.
The festival traces its origins to the Shinobu Sanzan Akatsuki Mairi, which has continued since the Edo period. At the summer festival, a giant straw sandal is carried through the city streets.
The giant sandal combines with the other half offered at the Akatsuki Mairi in February to make a pair, symbolizing a prayer for strong legs.
Source: 福島市の祭り／福島市公式ホームページ / Fukushima Waraji Festival
Festival highlights
A highlight is the giant straw sandal parade, in which a 12-meter-long sandal makes its way through the city.
Large groups of musicians, led by flutes and drums, provide live music that drives the festival, alongside the Waraji Odori performed by dancers.
The program also features a variety of events that carry on tradition, including a creative straw sandal parade and competitions using straw sandals.
Source: 【払戻情報】「第57回福島わらじまつり」8月8日（土曜日）の中止に伴う、有料観覧席払い戻しについてのご案内／福島市公式ホームページ
A Fukushima summer festival where a giant straw sandal and live music move through the streets
What to expect
The festival centers on dancing and parades along Shinobu-dori and Ekimae-dori, followed by an offering at Haguro Shrine on the final day.
During the Waraji Odori, dancers hold a “straw ring” as they dance to live music.
Depending on the schedule, events may also include a straw-sandal tug-of-war, a giant straw sandal parade, a creative straw sandal parade, and a finale.
How to take part
The Waraji Dance is described as an event where people of all ages and genders can dance to live music.
However, participation arrangements vary by event, and past notices have included performances that did not allow general participation outside of registered groups.
For 2026, check the details for each performance to see whether individuals or walk-ins can participate.
Source: 福島わらじまつり - Wikipedia
Location and access
- Venue and address
Shinobu-dori on National Route 13 and Ekimae-dori; on the final day, Haguro Shrine on Mount Shinobu.
- Train and bus
The main festival venue is around the east exit of Fukushima Station.
During the festival, bus stops including Ekimae-dori, Okitama-cho, and Sanka-ku Hiroba-mae are suspended, and local bus routes are diverted.
- By car
Traffic restrictions were in place on Ekimae-dori, Azuma-dori, and National Route 13 on August 7, 2026 and the 8th.
Restriction hours are from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., depending on the location.
Source: 福島市内「福島わらじまつり」開催に伴う迂回・バス停の休止について（2026年8月7日～8日） - 福島交通
Address Around the east exit of Fukushima Station; Shinobu-dori on National Route 13 and Ekimae-dori; Haguro Shrine on Mount Shinobu
Dates and season
- Listed dates
2026/08/07〜2026/08/09
- Season
Every year, from the first Friday to Sunday of August
- Frequency
Every year
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 Fukushima Prefecture / Fukushima City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Due to bad weather in 2026, all events scheduled for August 8 were canceled.
If you visit on a festival day, be aware that plans may change due to the weather or traffic restrictions, and check for bus diversions around Ekimae-dori and National Route 13.
If you plan to watch from a reserved seating area, you need to purchase a ticket in advance.
Nearby attractions
福島市写真美術館
福島県福島市にある美術館
福島市民家園
福島県福島市にある古民家園
福島市飯野UFOふれあい館
福島県福島市のUFOの里にある施設
福島県あづま総合運動公園
福島県福島市にある公園
福島県立美術館
福島県福島市にある美術館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
福島縣護國神社
福島県福島市にある神社
花見山公園
福島県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
写真：Original uploader was BehBeh at ja.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·Origins and History of Fukushima Waraji Festival
The Fukushima Waraji Festival began in 1970 as a summer festival, drawing on the winter religious rite Shinobu Sanzan Akatsuki Mairi, which has continued since the Edo period.
In 2019, the festival was revamped to mark its 50th edition, with changes to its music, dances, and costumes.
Another major change that has shaped the festival as it is today was the shift from recorded music to live performances led by flutes and drums.
Official information
Official information is available on the Fukushima Waraji Festival Executive Committee website.
You can check the latest information for visitors, including the festival schedule, whether events will go ahead on the day, viewing areas, and traffic restrictions.
For inquiries, contact the Fukushima Waraji Festival Executive Committee.
Fukushima Waraji Festival at a Glance
The Fukushima Waraji Festival carries on the tradition of the giant straw sandal, which originates from the Shinobu Sanzan Akatsuki Mairi, in the streets of Fukushima City in summer.
The main highlights are the 12-meter-long giant straw sandal, dancing, creative straw sandals, and live music.
In 2026, notices announcing cancellations due to bad weather coexist with notices that offerings went ahead, so check the festival’s status carefully.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
