A day of sharing stories about surname ties in Ubuyama Village, home to many people named “井”
National I-san Festival
The 2026 edition of National I-san Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/11/03Ended
- Area
- Kumamoto Prefecture・Ubuyama Village(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
- Last updated
- 2026/11/13
People from across Japan with the surname “井” gather in Ubuyama Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, where many residents have that surname, to share experiences and relatable stories about their names. The event is held as part of community-building efforts that make use of local characteristics.
About National I-san Festival
The National I-san Festival is an event where people with the surname “井” gather in Ubuyama Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, to connect with others who share their surname.
One in every 5 residents of Ubuyama Village has the surname “井,” and the village is described as having “the most people named I in Japan.”
It is held as a community-building initiative that makes use of surnames as a local characteristic.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the chance for people named “井” to connect and share experiences and relatable stories about their surname.
More than 100 people named “井,” including visitors from outside the village, attended the 2026 event.
Takuma I, a doctor and comedian, and the mayor of Ubuyama Village also shared stories, including using a different surname when making a reservation and finding that many households in a settlement had the surname “井.”
A day of sharing stories about surname ties in Ubuyama Village, home to many people named “井”
What to expect
At the 2026 event, activities began at 11:03 a.m. on November 3, and more than 100 people with the surname “井” gathered, including visitors who came from outside Ubuyama Village.
Participants introduced themselves by surname and shared stories related to their names, such as having used a different surname when making a phone reservation or finding that many nearby households had the surname “井.”
Stories from Takuma I, a doctor and comedian, and the village mayor also enlivened the gathering.
Location and access
- Address
Ubuyama Village
Host municipality 熊本県産山村
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
Information about the 2026 event (the listed dates have passed)
November 3, 2026 Starts at 11:03 a.m.
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 Kumamoto Prefecture / Ubuyama Village (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Origins and History of National I-san Festival
The National I-san Festival was held as part of community-building efforts that make use of the fact that many people in Ubuyama Village have the surname “井.”
A 2026 report says Ubuyama Village held a gathering for people with the surname “井” and introduced a plan to continue it on November 3 in the future.
It is an initiative that brings people from inside and outside the village together around their shared surname.
Official information
うぶやま未来ラボ 第３回全国井さん祭り 〜井さんのふるさと産山村〜｜うぶやま未来ラボ
National I-san Festival at a Glance
The National I-san Festival is a gathering in Ubuyama Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, where many people have the surname “井,” bringing people together through their shared surname.
In 2026, it began at 11:03 a.m. on November 3, and more than 100 people with the surname “井” gathered, including visitors from outside the village.
People share experiences and relatable stories about their surnames, making the event a place for connection that draws on the area’s distinctive character.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/13
