A festival on Innoshima where the history of the Murakami Suigun comes alive amid the sea and flames
Innoshima Suigun Festival
The 2026 edition of Innoshima Suigun Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/30 〜 2026/09/20Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year in August / Every year
- Location
- Innoshima Amenity Park / Shimanami Beach
- Area
- Hiroshima Prefecture・Onomichi 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free (some paid viewing areas available)
- Required number of participants
- 16 people
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A signature festival of Innoshima, it celebrates the traditions of the Murakami Suigun with wooden kobaya boat races, warriors, drums, dancing, and fireworks.
About Innoshima Suigun Festival
The Innoshima Suigun Festival is a local festival held in honor of the Murakami Suigun, who were based on Innoshima and active during the Muromachi and Sengoku periods, bringing their valiant image to life today.
The festival consists of 3 parts—the Island Festival, Fire Festival, and Sea Festival—each themed around a departure, a return, or a boat race.
It continues as a community-rooted event, brought to life by residents from across the Innoshima area.
Source: 2026因島水軍まつり - 尾道市ホームページ
Festival highlights
Highlights include races at sea in wooden kobaya boats and the Shimabi Festival, held on the beach at night.
Each kobaya is crewed by 16 people in total: rowers, a helmsman, and a taiko drummer. Crews compete for speed and teamwork in several divisions.
The fire festival features the arrival of armored warriors, the procession of a giant torch, Shouraku-mai dancing, and large-caliber fireworks, in that order.
Source: 本日開催！2026因島水軍まつり第一部「海まつり」午前8時15分から開会式。YouTubeライブ配信も実施 | 因島水軍まつり公式ホームページ / 本日開催！2026因島水軍まつり「島火まつり」16時30分～ YouTubeライブ配信も実施 | 因島水軍まつり公式ホームページ
A festival on Innoshima where the history of the Murakami Suigun comes alive amid the sea and flames
What to expect
At the Umi Matsuri, kobaya races take place after the opening ceremony, with divisions including general, ladies, elementary school, and junior high school.
The Himatsuri proceeds from taiko drumming and dancing to the return of the Murakami Suigun, the arrival of warriors, the lighting of the fire, and the procession of a giant torch, culminating in fireworks and a grand dance.
Visitors can also try boarding a kobaya and rowing with an oar.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the festival, and near the end of the fire festival they can also join the grand Shouraku-mai dance.
At the Umi Matsuri, visitors can try rowing a kobaya under the guidance of experienced rowers; information says that both children and adults can take part.
How to enter the competitive races and their application requirements must be checked separately from spectator information and the hands-on experience.
For the 2026 kobaya experience, register at the venue on the day of the event; advance registration is not required.
The kobaya experience on the day of the Umi Matsuri is available on a first-come, first-served basis and ends when capacity is reached after registration opens.
Information indicates that advance application is required for paid viewing areas at the Himatsuri.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Innoshima Amenity Park / Shimanami Beach (57 Innoshima-ohama-cho, Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture)
- Train and bus
From JR Onomichi Station, take a bus bound for Innoshima Habu Port for about 25 minutes, get off at “Innoshima Bridge,” then walk about 10 minutes.
- By car
About 5 minutes by car from Innoshima-kita IC and about 10 minutes from Innoshima-minami IC on the Shimanami Kaido.
- Parking
The Umi Matsuri uses the parking lot within the venue, but spaces are limited.
There is no parking within the venue for the Himatsuri. Use the shuttle buses from the temporary parking lots at Shigei Junior High School and Inakita Elementary School.
Source: 2026因島水軍まつり「島まつり」・「火まつり」（広島県／因島）｜開催期間・アクセス｜るるぶ&more.
Address 57 Innoshima-ohama-cho, Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the Umi Matsuri and the Shimamatsuri and Himatsuri were held separately.
The Umi Matsuri was held on August 30, and the Shimamatsuri and Himatsuri were held on September 20. The program was set to include kobaya races at the Umi Matsuri, and a departure procession, Shouraku-mai dancing, a giant torch, and fireworks at the Himatsuri.
Information indicated that, in the event of bad weather, only the Himatsuri fireworks would be postponed to September 21.
Source: 2026因島水軍まつり | いんのしま観光なび（因島観光協会）
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 / Onomichi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The Umi Matsuri takes place during the hottest part of the day, so be prepared for the heat, including taking frequent breaks.
A cooling shelter for spectators and a first-aid room are provided at the venue.
There is no parking around the venue during the fire festival, and stopping or parking on nearby roads is prohibited. Please use the designated temporary parking lots and shuttle buses.
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions include Innoshima Amenity Park, Oyama Shrine, and the Onomichi City Innoshima Flower Center.
In addition to Innoshima Amenity Park, which is also the festival venue itself, you can plan a stay on Innoshima around visits to shrines, temples, and a botanical garden.
Check the operating hours and conditions of use for each facility before your visit.
おのみち歴史博物館
広島県尾道市にある博物館
なかた美術館
広島県尾道市にある美術館
千光寺公園
広島県尾道市の公園
尾道市立美術館
広島県尾道市にある美術館
Origins and History of Innoshima Suigun Festival
The Innoshima Suigun Festival began as the “Little Kids’ Suigun Festival,” planned by the Innoshima Junior Chamber in 1980.
Following an event held in 1988, the 1st Innoshima Suigun Furusato Festival was held in 1991, and in 1993 it became the 3-part festival that continues today.
In 1999, it received the Furusato Event Award.
Source: 因島水軍まつり - Wikipedia
Official information
For official information, visit the Innoshima Suigun Festival official website.
The latest information is available on event details, day-of-event guidance, livestreams, and viewing areas.
Event dates, the venue, and transport and parking information are also available from the Onomichi City website and the Innoshima Tourism Association.
Innoshima Suigun Festival at a Glance
The Innoshima Suigun Festival is a major event on Innoshima, celebrating the history of the Murakami Suigun with kobaya boat races at sea and a nighttime fire festival.
There are opportunities to participate, not just watch, including trying to row a kobaya and joining the Shouraku-mai dance.
The venue is Innoshima Amenity Park / Shimanami Beach. Parking arrangements differ by event, so please take note.
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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