A summer festival bringing color to Kumamoto’s streets through dance
Hinokuni Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Event status
- Cancelled
- Season / frequency
- 3 days in the first week of August / Every year
- Location
- Throughout central Kumamoto City
- Area
- Kumamoto Prefecture・Kumamoto City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 10 min · flight time only)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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A summer festival celebrating local culture, with the Omotenyan Sō Odori, stage events, and food and drink booths set up in central Kumamoto City.
About Hinokuni Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: MK Products File:Kumamoto0050 1.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Hinokuni Festival is a colorful celebration of Kumamoto’s local culture that brings summer to life.
Dance performances, stage events, food and drink booths, and more take place throughout central Kumamoto City.
At the main event, the Omotenyan Sō Odori, many dancers parade through the city in creative costumes.
Source: Hinokuni Festival
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the Omotenyan Sō Odori, regarded as the festival’s main event.
Around 50 groups, with a total of 5,000 dancers, dance their way through the city center in creative costumes.
Stage events are held in the central shopping arcades, and food and drink booths are also set up at Hanabata Square.
A summer festival bringing color to Kumamoto’s streets through dance
What to expect
At the festival, dancers in costume parade through central Kumamoto City in the Omotenyan Sō Odori.
During the festival, stage events are held in the central shopping arcades, and visitors can enjoy food and drink booths at Hanabata Square.
The festival is organized by the Hinokuni Festival Organizing Committee and Kumamoto City.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Throughout central Kumamoto City.
The Omotenyan Sō Odori takes place in the city center, stage events are held in the central shopping arcades, and food and drink booths are set up at Hanabata Square.
Host municipality 熊本県熊本市
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
The 49th Hinokuni Festival in 2026 has been canceled.
The cancellation notice was issued on July 29, 2026.
The festival is usually held in August, but no date has been set for the 2026 event.
Source: 火の国まつり - Wikipedia
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 Kumamoto Prefecture / Kumamoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
水前寺江津湖公園
熊本市にある公園
肥後の里山ギャラリー
熊本県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
くまもと工芸会館
熊本市南区にある文化施設 (1991 - )
リデル・ライト両女史記念館
熊本市中央区にある博物館
加藤神社
熊本県熊本市の熊本城内にある神社
北岡神社
熊本県熊本市西区にある神社
島田美術館
熊本県熊本市西区島崎にある美術館
水前寺成趣園
熊本市中央区にある大名庭園
熊本国際民藝館
熊本市北区にある博物館
熊本城稲荷神社
熊本県熊本市にある神社
熊本大学五高記念館
熊本県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：910MoLT at Japanese Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
熊本大神宮
中央区にある神社
Origins and History of Hinokuni Festival
The first Hinokuni Festival was held in 1978.
It was previously held from August 11 through the 13th, but it is now said to be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the first week of August.
The Omotenyan Sō Odori takes place on the second day. In some years, partial Kumamoto City tram service suspensions and pedestrian-only zones have also been implemented.
Official information
Information about the Hinokuni Festival is available on the official Kumamoto City Tourism Guide page.
The cancellation of the 49th Hinokuni Festival in 2026 has been announced.
Hinokuni Festival at a Glance
The Hinokuni Festival is a summer festival in central Kumamoto City, where visitors can enjoy the Omotenyan Sō Odori, stage events, and food and drink booths.
A major feature is the parade of around 5,000 dancers from approximately 50 groups.
The 49th festival in 2026 has been canceled.
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
