A traditional seasonal festival bringing spring to Hojo with eastern and western mikoshi and floats
Hojo Setsubun Festival
The 2026 edition of Hojo Setsubun Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/04/04 〜 2026/04/05Ended
- Season / frequency
- The 1st Saturday and Sunday of April every year / Every year
- Location
- The old town of Hojo, centered around Sumiyoshi Shrine (including Otoshi Shrine)
- Area
- Hyogo Prefecture・Kasai City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 40 min–3 h 10 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Hojo Setsubun Festival, carried on in Hojo Town, Kasai City, is a spring festival featuring eastern and western and floats processing through town. Events such as shrine entrances, the Ryuo Dance, and the Rooster-Fighting Ceremony take place around Sumiyoshi Shrine. The shrine ceremonies and processions through the old town offer a glimpse of traditions rooted in the local community.
About Hojo Setsubun Festival
Hojo Setsubun Festival is a spring festival held in the old town of Hojo, centered around Sumiyoshi Shrine in Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture.
The eastern and western mikoshi and floats process through town and enter the shrine.
Dedicatory events such as the Rooster-Fighting Ceremony and the Ryuo Dance also take place, bringing together local shrine rites and activities throughout town.
Source: 北条節句祭り｜イベント｜ハートにぐっと北播磨 - 兵庫・北播磨観光ポータルサイト / 北条節句祭り（兵庫県／加西市）｜開催期間・アクセス｜るるぶ&more.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the spirited shrine entrance, as 2 eastern and western mikoshi and up to 15 decorative floats make their way through town and into the shrine.
The floats feature carefully crafted carvings and decorations, which visitors can admire up close.
Dedicatory events passed down through the festival, such as the time-honored Rooster-Fighting Ceremony and Ryuo Dance, are also worth watching.
Source: 北条節句祭り（2026年） | 加西市伝統の「北条節句祭り」 見どころ＆2026開催情報 | 兵庫県加西市 | いこーよとりっぷ
A traditional seasonal festival bringing spring to Hojo with eastern and western mikoshi and floats
What to expect
During the festival, mikoshi and offerings travel between the main shrine and the shrine, and dances such as the Urasai Dance and the Ryuo Dance are performed as offerings.
Floats process through town and enter the shrine, while Banshu Kasai Abare Daiko and the Rooster-Fighting Ceremony are also scheduled for the closing stages of the festival.
Enjoy the two-day program set in Hojo Town, featuring ceremonies and processions.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
参加費：無料
Location and access
- Venue and address
The old town of Hojo, centered around Sumiyoshi Shrine.
The address is 1318 Hojo, Hojocho, Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture.
- Train and bus
About a 10-minute walk from Hojocho Station on the Hojo Railway.
- By car
About 4 km from the Kasai IC on the Chugoku Expressway, approximately 15 minutes by car.
- Parking
Parking is available at locations including the city hall and Aeon Mall Kasai Hojo.
Parking for 100 vehicles is listed as free.
Address 1318 Hojo, Hojocho, Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the event was listed as taking place from April 4 (Saturday) through April 5 (Sunday).
On the 4th, the main shrine ceremony, mikoshi procession, and ceremony at the otabisho shrine were held. Events scheduled for the 5th included the Ryuo Dance, mikoshi procession, Banshu Kasai Abare Daiko, and the Rooster-Fighting Ceremony.
Event times may shift depending on conditions on the day.
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 Hyogo Prefecture / Kasai City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Mikoshi and float processions, shrine entrances, and dedicatory ceremonies take place at various times, so it is a good idea to check the times of the events you want to see before visiting.
The 2026 information notes that event times may shift depending on conditions on the day.
As the festival takes place in town, please follow local instructions when visiting and avoid disrupting the processions or ceremonies.
Nearby attractions
Hojocho Station on the Hojo Railway is near the festival site in Hojo Town.
Nearby attractions include Eemon Kingdom, JA Hyogo Mirai Kasai Aisaikan, Hyogo Prefectural Flower Center, and Rakanji Temple.
If you plan to visit nearby attractions as part of your trip, check their operating status and visitor information.
Origins and History of Hojo Setsubun Festival
Hojo Setsubun Festival is described as a spring festival in Kasai City with a long tradition.
The festival is estimated to have begun around 1100, and another source describes it as an event with a history of more than 900 years.
Sumiyoshi Shrine is said to have been founded in 717. After its shrine buildings were lost in a fire during wartime, the current buildings were reportedly reconstructed in the late Edo period.
Source: 北条節句まつり - Wikipedia
Official information
The Kasai City Tourism Association’s information page is listed as an official source for 2026.
Event dates and program details may change, so check the latest information before visiting.
Hojo Setsubun Festival at a Glance
Hojo Setsubun Festival is a spring festival held in the old town of Hojo, centered around Sumiyoshi Shrine in Kasai City.
In addition to processions and shrine entrances by the eastern and western mikoshi and decorative dashi floats, visitors can enjoy dedicatory events such as the Ryuo Dance and the Rooster-Fighting Ceremony.
In 2026, the event was listed as taking place on April 4 and the 5th, and can be reached on foot from Hojocho Station on the Hojo Railway.
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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