A vigorous festival of mikoshi, dasha, and beating drums that brings color to autumn in Imari
Imari Tontenton Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/10/23 〜 2026/10/25Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- Every year in October / Every year
- Location
- Central Imari City
- Area
- Saga Prefecture・Imari 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Not open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/20
The Imari Tontenton Festival brings color to autumn in Imari City. The Ara- and dasha process through the city, bringing the festival to life with drums and calls. In 2026, the festival will be held from October 23 through the 25th, with Kawaotoshi taking place near the end.
About Imari Tontenton Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: トンテン File:日本三大喧嘩祭り 伊万里トンテントン.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Imari Tontenton Festival is the Goshinkosai of Imari Shrine, held in Imari City, Saga Prefecture.
The Ara-mikoshi and dasha feature in the festival, whose defining attraction is the vigorous clash between them.
This festival has been passed down as a highlight of autumn in Imari, together with and processions through the city.
Source: 伊万里トンテントン祭り - Wikipedia / 『伊万里トンテントン祭り』・『いまり秋祭り』開催！！〔R8/10/23 Fri. – 10/25 Sun.〕 | pickup伊万里
Festival highlights
A highlight is the clash between the Ara-mikoshi and the dasha.
As drums beat and calls ring out, the mikoshi face one another; near the end of the festival, Kawaotoshi takes place on the banks of the Imari River.
During Kawaotoshi, both are dropped into the river, and which one is pulled out first is associated with a good harvest and a bountiful catch.
A vigorous festival of mikoshi, dasha, and beating drums that brings color to autumn in Imari
What to expect
The festival's daily events unfold after the Shinto rituals, as mikoshi and dasha process through the city.
The Ara-mikoshi leads, followed by the dasha, while drums and calls enliven the procession.
In 2026, the festival is scheduled to begin with Yasumaku on the evening of October 23 and conclude with Kawaotoshi on the night of October 25, featuring clashes between the Ara-mikoshi and the dasha.
How to take part
As carriers, Deban-cho carries the Ara Mikoshi and Dan-guruma, while Odomo-cho serves in the procession of the White Mikoshi and Red Mikoshi.
The towns assigned as Odomo-cho and Deban-cho vary by year.
Walk-on participation by people from outside the designated towns is prohibited.
Carriers take part from the designated Odomo-cho or Deban-cho for that year.
Deban-cho carries the Ara Mikoshi and Dan-guruma, while Odomo-cho serves in the procession of the White Mikoshi and Red Mikoshi.
Walk-on participation by people from outside the designated towns is not permitted.
Source: 伊万里トンテントンとは | 伊万里トンテントン公式サイト
Location and access
- Venue and address
佐賀県伊万里市の市街地／電車・バス：博多駅から伊万里駅まで、佐世保線で約1時間50分、筑肥線で約2時間10分／佐賀駅から伊万里駅まで約65分／車：武雄北方I.C.から伊万里まで約30分
Source: アクセス-伊万里トンテントン | 伊万里トンテントン公式サイト
Address Central Imari City, Saga Prefecture
Dates and season
The 2026 Imari Tontenton Festival will be held from October 23 (Fri) through the 25th (Sun).
Events featuring the Ara Mikoshi and dasha take place from the evening of the 23rd, beginning with “Yasumaku,” until “Kawaotoshi” on the night of the 25th.
Kawaotoshi is the festival’s closing event.
Source: 佐賀県伊万里市 伊萬里神社｜神社からのお知らせ
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 Saga Prefecture / Imari City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
At events featuring the Ara Mikoshi and danjiri, bearers gather closely together. When watching, it is important to stay in a safe place that does not obstruct the procession.
In 2026, Imari Shrine’s parking lot will be unavailable during the Goshinkō Festival.
If you are coming by car, plan for other ways to get around rather than looking for parking when you arrive.
Nearby attractions
伊万里市陶器商家資料館
佐賀県伊万里市にある旧陶器商家建物の陶磁資料館
Origins and History of Imari Tontenton Festival
One theory about the festival's origins is that it began with a dispute between the rites of Kōkitsu Shrine, which prayed for bountiful crops, and Towatari-shima Shrine, which prayed for a good catch.
Another theory holds that it began as a celebration of victory in the First Sino-Japanese War. As no written records remain, its origins have not been established.
The system was revised following the 1962 consolidation of shrines, and the form of the clashes has also changed in response to accidents and safety measures.
Official information
For information about the 2026 festival and the latest updates, visit the official Imari Tontenton website.
A notice from Imari Shrine describes the event as a Goshinkosai held from October 23, 2026 through the 25th.
Source: 伊万里トンテントン公式サイト | 伊萬里神社御神幸祭
Imari Tontenton Festival at a Glance
The Imari Tontenton Festival is the Goshinkosai of Imari Shrine, held in Imari City.
In 2026, from October 23 through the 25th, clashes between the Ara-mikoshi and the dasha are planned, along with Kawaotoshi, which marks the festival's finale.
Imari Shrine's parking lot is unavailable during the festival because it is used as a staging area for the mikoshi.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/20
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