Gion Festival at Hijiki Shrine

Festival highlights

In the Gion Dance, the dancers do not carry the taiko; they take turns beating the large drums as they dance.

Another distinctive feature at Hijiki Shrine is the use of 2 large taiko drums set facing each other.

Fans bearing lottery tickets, tied to sasa bamboo, and “hōro flowers” made to resemble weeping cherry blossoms decorate the shrine grounds, shaping the dance and the festival space.

Source: 三重県無形民俗文化財指定 伊賀の祇園祭 | 特集 | 伊賀ポータル

The Gion Festival in Hijiki: prayers for rain passed down through taiko and dance

What to expect

According to the 2026 event information, prayers, flowers, and fan offerings are scheduled from 11:30 a.m., followed by the Gion Dance at 2 p.m.

During the Gion Dance, dancers take turns beating the large taiko as they dance.

The festival is listed as proceeding in light rain.

Location and access

Venue and address

Hijiki Shrine, 683 Hijiki, Iga City

Train and bus

About 5 minutes by car from Maruyama Station on the Iga Railway

By car

About 14 minutes from Ueno-Higashi IC on the Meihan National Highway

Parking

Available

Address 683 Hijiki, Iga City

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

It was listed as scheduled for July 26, 2026 (Sunday).

Prayers, flowers, and fan offerings are listed as starting at 11:30 a.m., and the Gion Dance at 2 p.m.

The festival proceeds in light rain.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The 2026 event information says the festival will proceed in light rain.

Prayers, flowers, and fan offerings are scheduled from 11:30 a.m., and the Gion Dance from 2 p.m.

As dates, fees, and other details may change, the Hijiki District Community Center is listed as the contact.

Nearby attractions

Nearby attractions listed around the venue include the Shironokoshi Ruins, 3.8 km away in a straight line, Omura Shrine, 4.0 km away, and Jofukuji Temple, 4.0 km away.

You can plan an itinerary that includes visits to nearby historic places alongside the festival.

Castles and historic sitesIga City

上野城

三重県伊賀市に存在した城

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写真：The original uploader was T@ka at Japanese Wikipedia . / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Museums and art museumsIga City

伊賀流忍者博物館

三重県伊賀市にある忍者の博物館

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写真：谈天才 / CC BY 3.0

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Temples and shrinesIga City

敢國神社

三重県伊賀市一之宮にある神社

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写真：Saigen Jiro / CC0

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Museums and art museumsIga City

芭蕉翁記念館

三重県伊賀市の上野公園にある記念館

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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 Gion Festival at Hijiki Shrine

It is said that the Gion Dance at Hijiki Shrine has been performed since the Edo period to pray for rain and ward off calamity during the Gion Festival.

It is one of the “kanko dances” passed down in the city, and was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Mie Prefecture in 2019.

The festival is listed as taking place on the 4th Sunday of every July.

Official information

公式URL：Official URL↗

問い合わせ先：比自岐地区市民センター　0595-37-0029

Gion Festival at Hijiki Shrine at a Glance

The Gion Festival at Hijiki Shrine is held on the 4th Sunday of every July in Hijiki, Iga City.

The Gion Dance, said to have been performed to pray for rain and ward off calamity during the Gion Festival, is dedicated at the shrine. A highlight is the distinctive sight of dancers taking turns beating a large taiko while dancing.

The dance, a cultural property passed down in the community, is presented alongside decorations of sasa bamboo and “hōro flowers.”