From framed lanterns to mikoshi and zodiac-decorated dashi: a Gion Festival that brings the neighborhood together
Horikoshi Gionsha Gion Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Mid-July every year, Saturday and Sunday / Every year
- Location
- Horikoshi Gionsha and the neighborhood of Kawajiri-cho Higashi
- Area
- Hiroshima Prefecture・Kure City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 50 min–4 h 20 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
The Horikoshi Gionsha Gion Festival, passed down in Kawajiri-cho Higashi. Framed lanterns announce the arrival of the festival, and and decorated with the zodiac animal parade through the neighborhood to the sound of and Ise Ondo.
About Horikoshi Gionsha Gion Festival
The Horikoshi Gionsha Gion Festival is held in Kawajiri-cho Higashi and is designated an intangible folk cultural property of the city.
One week before the festival, framed lanterns are set up at 7 locations around the neighborhood to announce its arrival.
During the evening festival and the main festival, mikoshi and dashi decorated with the zodiac animal parade through the neighborhood, praying for the safety and well-being of every household.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the adult and children’s mikoshi proceeding at the head of the parade behind the children’s lanterns, and the dashi decorated with that year’s zodiac animal.
The dashi parade to taiko and Ise Ondo.
On the morning of the main festival, the mikoshi make a circuit of the neighborhood, preceded by flute and taiko music, carrying prayers for the festival to each household.
From framed lanterns to mikoshi and zodiac-decorated dashi: a Gion Festival that brings the neighborhood together
What to expect
One week before the festival, framed lanterns are set up at 7 locations around the neighborhood as part of Nanoka Gion, announcing the arrival of the Gion Festival.
On the morning of the first day’s evening festival, the is set up, and 3 mikoshi are welcomed from Gionsha at dusk.
On the nights of the evening festival and the main festival, the mikoshi and dashi proceed in procession after the children’s lanterns. From the morning of the main festival, the mikoshi make a circuit of the neighborhood.
Location and access
- Venue and address
3-chome, Kawajiri-cho Higashi
- Train and bus
Take the Seikatsu Bus Hiro-Kawajiri Line to Shimizu-cho bus stop; about a 1-minute walk
Address 3-chome, Kawajiri-cho Higashi, Kure City
Dates and season
- Season
Mid-July every year, Saturday and Sunday
- 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 Hiroshima Prefecture / Kure City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
あきしお
海上自衛隊の潜水艦
Kameyama Shrine
呉市清水にある神社
入船山記念館
広島県呉市の入船山公園内にある博物館
写真：Wei-Te Wong from Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China / CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo source ·
呉市海事歴史科学館
広島県呉市にある科学館
呉市立美術館
広島県呉市の入船山公園内にある美術館
松濤園
広島県呉市下蒲刈島にある日本庭園
海上自衛隊呉史料館
広島県呉市にある海上自衛隊の広報施設
Origins and History of Horikoshi Gionsha Gion Festival
The Horikoshi Gionsha Gion Festival is listed as an intangible folk cultural property of the city in Heisei 13March 23.
The festival program is described as beginning with framed lanterns set up one week beforehand, followed by mikoshi and dashi parading through the neighborhood during the evening festival and the main festival.
As the mikoshi make their circuit, prayers are offered for the safety and well-being of every household.
Official information
Kure City official website, “Horikoshi Gionsha Gion Festival | Cultural Properties of Kure City”
Horikoshi Gionsha Gion Festival at a Glance
The Horikoshi Gionsha Gion Festival is an intangible folk cultural property passed down in Kawajiri-cho Higashi.
Beginning with framed lanterns for Nanoka Gion, the evening festival and the main festival feature a parade through the neighborhood of children’s lanterns, adult mikoshi, children’s mikoshi, and dashi decorated with the zodiac animal.
It is a community-rooted festival where prayers are offered for the safety and well-being of every household.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
