Hachioji Festival

Festival highlights

A highlight is the sight of 19 intricately carved dashi proceeding along Koshu Kaido and illuminated at night.

The festival is also known for tsujiawase, where dashi gather to perform festival music against one another, and “buttsuke,” where dashi are brought close together as their musicians compete.

The approximately 3-ton Sengan mikoshi, taiko drumming, folk dance parades, and lion dances also bring the festival to life.

Source: 行事案内 | 八王子まつり

Three days of carved dashi and mikoshi bringing color to the streets of Hachioji

What to expect

The festival features dashi displays, live hayashi performances, an ice sculpture exhibition, a children’s Ondo gathering, and more.

Enjoy dancing and taiko performances at the Minyo Nagashi and Kanto Taiko Grand Competition.

In the latter half, mikoshi processions, dashi parades, tsujiawase (dashi face-offs), shishimai and more continue, with a variety of events taking place mainly along Koshu Kaido.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address

The area along Koshu Kaido, from the Hachioji Station Entrance intersection to the Oiwake intersection, covering about 1.8 km; Nishi-Hoshasen Euroード and Ekimae Terrace.

Train and bus

It is a 5-minute walk from Hachioji Station on the JR Chuo Line, a 10-minute walk from Hachioji Station on the Keio Line, and a 12-minute walk from Nishi-Hachioji Station on the JR Chuo Line.

By car

Crowds and traffic restrictions are expected near the venue, so visitors are advised to avoid coming by car if possible.

Parking

Parking lots around Hachioji Station are available.

Source: 八王子まつり｜八王子市公式ホームページ

Address Around Koshu Kaido (from the Hachioji Station Entrance intersection to the Oiwake intersection), Hachioji, Tokyo

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Dates and season

2026 Event Information (the listed dates have passed)

The 2026 Hachioji Festival was held for 3 days, from August 7 (Friday) through the 9th (Sunday).

Typically, the festival runs Friday through Sunday, starting on the first Friday of August.

From Friday to Sunday, the program includes exhibitions, dancing, taiko drumming, mikoshi, and dashi processions.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Many spectators are expected around the venue, and it is dangerous to get close to dashi or mikoshi, so please follow the directions of security staff.

As the festival takes place during a hot time of year, visitors are advised to avoid the heat and drink water frequently.

Do not leave food and drink containers on the street. Please take them to the shop where you made your purchase or to a recycling station at the venue.

Nearby attractions

Temples and shrinesHachioji City

八幡八雲神社

東京都八王子市の神社

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

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写真：Towacoco / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Hachioji Festival

The Hachioji Festival developed from a civic festival that began with “An Evening Cool-Off for 30,000 People” in Showa 36 (1961).

Dashi joined the civic festival in Showa 41 (1966), and the festival was renamed the Hachioji Festival in Showa 43 (1968).

At the same time, the upper festival of Taga Shrine and the lower festival of Hachiman-Yakumo Shrine were combined as a dashi procession, leading to the festival in its present form.

Source: 八王子まつり - Wikipedia

Official information

The official Hachioji Festival information provides the 2026 dates, venues, program, access information, and visitor advisories.

The Hachioji Festival Executive Committee is listed as the organizer, with Hachioji City and others listed as participating organizations.

Hachioji Festival at a Glance

The Hachioji Festival is a local festival held in central Hachioji, featuring dashi, mikoshi, festival music, dancing, and lion dances.

Highlights include processions of 19 dashi, tsujiawase performances, and the dashi illuminated at night.

In 2026, the festival ran from August 7 through the 9th. Expect traffic restrictions and crowds around the venue.