An art festival celebrating Mashiko’s soil and way of life across the whole town
Hiji-sai
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Around September each year, for about 2 weeks from the new moon to the full moon / Every 3 years
- Location
- Venues throughout Mashiko Town
- Area
- Tochigi Prefecture・Mashiko Town(From Tokyo: approx. 50 min–1 h · 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.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Set in Mashiko Town, known for Mashiko pottery, this art event invites visitors to reflect on the “soil,” a gift of the land, and the life of the local community. Residents and visitors have experienced Mashiko’s local environment through exhibitions, music, town walks, and making things.
About Hiji-sai
Hiji-sai (ひじさい) is a participatory art event focused on Mashiko Town’s local environment and way of life, and the “soil” that supports Mashiko pottery and agriculture.
Local artists, residents, and visitors experience the region’s appeal through exhibitions, music, workshops, and other activities.
It began in 2009 and has continued as an opportunity to reconsider Mashiko Town’s history, nature, and industries.
The venues are not limited to a single facility; they are spread throughout the town.
Source: 土祭 - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
Highlights include a variety of programs inspired by Mashiko’s soil and ceramics, nature, and everyday life.
In the past, these have included displays of old Mashiko pottery in traditional houses, clay-figure exhibitions, making glowing mud balls, and creating stage sets using soil.
Music, town walks, open studios, and exhibitions in different parts of town have also featured, making Mashiko Town itself the venue for visitors to enjoy.
An art festival celebrating Mashiko’s soil and way of life across the whole town
What to expect
When the festival is held, visitors can explore exhibitions and artworks around town and enjoy music, talks, cafés, and programs related to folk crafts.
Some programs have also offered hands-on activities such as making clay figures, glowing mud balls, personal chopsticks, and kokedama moss balls, as well as opportunities to experience local life through activities such as rice harvesting and a donto-yaki bonfire.
In 2021, activities included town walks, tours around the area, and open studios.
How to take part
Tsuchisai is a community-participation event in which local residents are involved in planning and preparations.
Past editions have featured projects planned by children, community projects led by local residents, and workshops using soil.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Various venues in Mashiko Town, Haga District, Tochigi Prefecture.
There is no single venue; locations vary by edition and event.
- Train and bus
The nearest stations are Mashiko Station and Nanai Station.
Event venue 栃木県益子町 益子町内の各会場
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Season
Around September each year, for about 2 weeks from the new moon to the full moon
- Frequency
Every 3 years
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 Tochigi Prefecture / Mashiko Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
益子参考館
栃木県益子町にある濱田庄司の蒐集品を展示している民藝博物館
Origins and History of Hiji-sai
Hiji-sai began in 2009 as an initiative to help Mashiko Town find hope for the future.
Focusing on the “soil” that underpins Mashiko’s pottery industry and agriculture, the festival has taken shape as an opportunity to reconsider the town’s local environment and way of life passed down from earlier generations through art.
From 2012 onward, it was held roughly every 3 years and developed into a community-created event, with programs led by residents and participation by children.
In 2021, the event period was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, a plan to suspend the festival was announced.
Official information
Mashiko Town’s official tourism webpage provides information on Hiji-sai records, the 2021 summary report, and materials from past events.
For the 2026 dates and participation information, please check for new announcements from Mashiko Town.
Source: 観光 | 益子町公式ホームページ
Hiji-sai at a Glance
Hiji-sai is a participatory art event centered on the “soil” that supports Mashiko pottery and agriculture, as well as Mashiko Town’s local environment and way of life.
Exhibitions, music, town walks, open studios, and hands-on creative activities take place at venues throughout the town, making the region itself the stage.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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