Ishinomaki River Opening Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include the Magobei-bune boat race on the river, other water events, and a land parade and Tairyo Odori in the city center.

In the Magobei-bune boat race, participants compete in rowing boats, creating an exciting contest on the water.

At night, fireworks are launched downstream of Kaihoku Bridge on the Kitakami River, bringing the festival to a close.

Source: 石巻川開き祭り ’26.7.31（金）～8.2（日）｜観光・旅行情報サイト 宮城まるごと探訪

A summer in Ishinomaki, shaped by river history and brought to life with boat races and fireworks

What to expect

The festival begins with the eve-of-festival events, followed by ceremonies related to memorial observances and expressions of gratitude, water events, and land events.

Enjoy parades and Tairyo Odori in the city center, while the Magobei-bune boat race takes place by the water.

The festival culminates in a fireworks display, with riverside events and downtown activities taking place at their respective locations.

How to take part

In 2026, no application process was announced for the festival as a whole for general visitors.

However, applications were invited to perform in stage events and to operate food trucks or yatai stalls. The application deadline for both was June 5, 2026.

Performers are required to submit an application form and an introduction video; vendors must apply using the designated Google Form.

Source: ステージイベント│石巻川開祭実行委員会 ホームページ

Location and access

Venue

Central Ishinomaki and the area around the old Kitakami River

Address

6-3 Chuo, Ishinomaki

Address 6-3 Chuo, Ishinomaki

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

The festival was held from July 31 (Friday) to August 2 (Sunday) in 2026.

July 31 was the eve of the festival, while August 1 and the 2nd were the main festival days. The fireworks display was scheduled for August 1 (Saturday) at 19:30.

In the event of rain or severe weather, the fireworks were scheduled to be postponed until the following day.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Crowds are expected around the venue, and areas subject to traffic restrictions have also been identified.

Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation and should avoid parking on the street or parking illegally.

Event details may change due to weather and other factors, so if you are coming for the water events or fireworks, be sure to check the announcements on the day as well.

Source: 第103回石巻川開き祭り | tbc東北放送

Nearby attractions

Museums and art museumsIshinomaki City

石ノ森萬画館

宮城県石巻市にある石ノ森章太郎の記念館

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写真：gleam_df / CC BY 2.0(resized and reformatted)

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Temples and shrinesIshinomaki City

黄金山神社

宮城県石巻市金華山にある神社

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写真：Geomr / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)

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Parks and gardensHachinohe City · Hashikami Town · 久慈市 · 山田町 · 釜石市 · Rikuzentakata City · 野田村 · Miyako City · 岩泉町 · 田野畑村 · 大槌町 · 大船渡市 · Fudai Village · 女川町 · Ishinomaki City · Tome City · 南三陸町 · 気仙沼市

三陸復興国立公園

東北地方の三陸沿岸を区域とする国立公園

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写真：Junpei Satoh / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Ishinomaki River Opening Festival

The Ishinomaki River Opening Festival began as an event honoring the achievements of Kawamura Magobei, who carried out improvements at the mouth of the Kitakami River during the Edo period and laid the foundations for Ishinomaki’s development.

It is said to have taken shape as a festival in Taisho 5, combining local Buddhist observances such as Kawasegaki rites for mourning those who drowned.

The festival was suspended during wartime but has been held almost continuously since then.

Source: 石巻川開き祭り - Wikipedia

Official information

Check the Ishinomaki River Opening Festival Executive Committee website for official information.

Information on the 2026 pamphlet and general program is also available.

For inquiries, contact the Ishinomaki River Opening Festival Executive Committee (tel. 0225-22-0145).

Ishinomaki River Opening Festival at a Glance

The Ishinomaki River Opening Festival is a summer festival rooted in Ishinomaki’s river and port, carrying on expressions of gratitude to Kawamura Magobei Shigeyoshi and memorial observances for those who drowned.

The main highlights are the Magobei-bune boat race on the water, land events in the city center, and fireworks along the Kitakami River.

The announced dates for 2026 were July 31 to August 2.