A Tanabata festival where giant kiriko dance toward bonfires in the sea at night
Horyu Tanabata Kiriko Festival
The 2026 edition of Horyu Kiriko Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/01Ended
- Season / frequency
- First Saturday of August
- Location
- Near the mouth of the Ukai River (within Ukai, Horyu Town, Suzu City)
- Area
- Ishikawa Prefecture・Suzu City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This festival in Ukai, Horyu Town, Suzu City, features kiriko about 14 meters tall being carried into the sea at night. The underwater dance, set against a backdrop of bonfires and fireworks, is one of the festival’s main highlights.
About Horyu Tanabata Kiriko Festival
The Horyu Tanabata Kiriko Festival is one of Noto’s most prominent kiriko festivals, held in the Ukai district of Horyu Town, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
About 100 people carry the large kiriko, which is about 14 meters tall, toward the sea to the sound of bells and drums.
Tanabata is also known as “Nanuka Bon” and is said to be a festival for welcoming ancestral spirits.
In 2015, it was recognized as a Japan Heritage site as part of “The Peninsula Where Lights Dance: Noto—The Fiery Kiriko Festivals.”
Source: 宝立七夕キリコまつり - 珠洲市ホームページ / 宝立七夕キリコまつり - 日本遺産「灯り舞う半島 能登 〜熱狂のキリコ祭り〜」能登のキリコ祭り / 宝立七夕キリコ祭り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The biggest highlight is the “underwater dance,” in which the kiriko enter the sea at night and circle a bonfire offshore.
The large kiriko, about 14 meters tall and weighing about 2 tons, is decorated with streamers, wind chimes, lanterns, and more. Its lights shimmer in the sea.
Against a backdrop of fireworks, the bearers make their way forward, splashing water—a thrilling spectacle unique to this festival.
Source: 宝立七夕キリコまつり｜イベント｜【公式】石川県の観光/旅行サイト「ほっと石川旅ねっと」
A Tanabata festival where giant kiriko dance toward bonfires in the sea at night
What to expect
The festival brings together 6 large kiriko and 1 children’s kiriko about 6 meters tall near the mouth of the Ukai River, where they parade along the river.
At night, the kiriko gather at Mitsuke Beach. After their lights are briefly switched off, each kiriko is lit up to show the pictures and lettering painted on it.
Fireworks signal the kiriko to enter the sea and begin the underwater dance, circling toward a pillar-shaped bonfire offshore.
How to take part
With the number of carriers declining, visitors are also said to be able to take part in the festival.
If you wish to participate, contact a coordinator in each district; you may be able to borrow a to wear during the festival.
Women are also permitted to carry the , but each person must provide their own shoulder pads, tabi socks, and sarashi.
If you wish to participate as a carrier, contact a coordinator in the district you wish to join in advance.
You may be able to borrow a happi, but you must provide your own shoulder pads, tabi socks, and sarashi.
Participation requirements and meeting arrangements on the day may vary by district, so check the specific procedures with the coordinator.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Near the mouth of the Ukai River (in Ukai, Horyu-machi, Suzu City).
Address: 2-16 Ukai, Horyu-machi, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture 927-1222.
- Train and bus
About 40 minutes by bus from Noto Satoyama Airport; get off at Suzu Ukai bus stop, then walk about 20 minutes.
The express bus from Kanazawa Station to Suzu City takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- By car
About 40 minutes from Noto Satoyama Airport IC on the Noetsu Expressway.
- Parking
Suzu Municipal Horyu Elementary and Junior High School and the Mitsuke Park parking lot are listed.
Source: 宝立七夕キリコまつり(石川県)の詳細データ｜ウォーカープラス
Address 〒927-1222 Ukai 2-16, Horyu Town, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The event was scheduled for August 1 (Saturday) in 2026.
The large kiriko are scheduled to begin their procession at 5:30 p.m., and fireworks are scheduled for 8 p.m.
It is usually held on the first Saturday of August.
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 Ishikawa Prefecture / Suzu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
During the underwater dance, the kiriko actually enter the sea, so be careful of splashing water and wet footing near the shore.
The kiriko procession generally takes place even in rainy weather, but whether the underwater dance goes ahead may depend on sea conditions.
For safety reasons, the fireworks may be held on a different date, so check the latest event information shortly before the festival.
Nearby attractions
Near the venue is Mitsuke Island (Gunkanjima), introduced as a symbol of Noto.
The Ukai district in Horyu Town is described as the area where Mitsuke Island is located, offering a chance to enjoy the local coastal scenery alongside the festival.
If you plan to visit Mitsuke Island as part of your trip, check traffic and access conditions on the day of the festival.
Origins and History of Horyu Tanabata Kiriko Festival
The festival’s origins are linked to Tanabata, which falls on “Nanuka Bon,” the day when preparations for Bon begin, and is considered an occasion for welcoming ancestral spirits.
The kiriko have been passed down in each district, and today 6 large kiriko and 1 children’s kiriko take part.
In 2015, the festival was recognized as a Japan Heritage site as part of the cultural heritage of Noto’s kiriko festivals.
Official information
Official information is available on Suzu City’s tourism page.
Information is provided on the event date, venue, hours, address, contact details, and more.
Horyu Tanabata Kiriko Festival at a Glance
The Horyu Tanabata Kiriko Festival is a festival passed down in Ukai, Horyu Town, Suzu City, where the sea and large kiriko take center stage.
The main highlight is the underwater dance, in which kiriko about 14 meters tall enter the sea to the sound of bells and drums and circle a bonfire.
The event was scheduled for August 1 in 2026, and the venue is near the mouth of the Ukai River.
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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