A nighttime display of illuminated andon mikoshi and a community celebration that brings color to the city of cutlery
Seki Festival
The 2026 edition of Seki Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/04/18 〜 2026/04/19Ended
- Season / frequency
- The 3rd Saturday of April and the following Sunday every year / Once a year
- Location
- Honmachi-dori
- Area
- Gifu Prefecture・Seki City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h–2 h 30 min · bullet train + connecting 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Originating in shrine festivals, Seki Festival is a spring celebration in Seki City that features community parades and stage performances along Honmachi-dori, as well as andon at night.
About Seki Festival
Seki Festival is a spring celebration that brings color to Seki City, Gifu Prefecture.
Centered around the annual festivals of Kasuga Shrine, Shinmei Shrine, and Kifune Shrine, the event features parades, stage performances, and the Andon Mikoshi Competition in the city center, including along Honmachi-dori.
Over 2 days, Seki City’s cutlery culture and residents’ activities are expressed through a local festival.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the Andon Mikoshi Competition, which lights up Honmachi-dori from the evening onward.
Mikoshi incorporating local features such as cormorant fishing and Seki swordsmithing process through the town at night, accompanied by beautiful lights.
The parade and stage performances also feature a variety of acts, including concert band music, folk dancing, dance, and Japanese drumming.
A nighttime display of illuminated andon mikoshi and a community celebration that brings color to the city of cutlery
What to expect
The festival begins with a parade and stage performances along Honmachi-dori, followed in the evening by the Andon Mikoshi Competition.
According to the 2026 announcement, the parade, stage performances, and competition were scheduled for April 18, with an awards ceremony and awards parade by winning groups scheduled for the following day, the 19th.
Depending on where you watch, you can enjoy daytime music and dancing followed by illuminated mikoshi at night.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the parade, stage performances, and Andon Mikoshi Competition.
Some program events invite public participation, and for 2026, participant recruitment has been announced for the parade, stage performances, and Andon Mikoshi Competition.
If you wish to apply as a participant, check the application guidelines for the relevant event.
For 2026, participant recruitment is being conducted separately for the parade, stage performances, and Andon Mikoshi Competition.
If you wish to participate, check the relevant application guidelines and form before applying.
For the Andon Mikoshi Competition, the required documents include a mikoshi design and itinerary.
Source: 【令和8年度 関まつり 開催決定】参加者募集のお知らせ｜新着情報｜【公式】せき観光ナビ - 岐阜県関市の観光・旅行情報
Location and access
- Venue and address
Honmachi-dori, Honmachi-dori, Seki City, Gifu Prefecture.
Kasuga Shrine and other locations are also associated with the festival.
- Train and bus
A 10-minute walk from Seki Station on the Nagaragawa Railway.
- By car
A 15-minute drive from Seki IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.
Address Honmachi-dori, Seki City, Gifu Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event dates are April 18 (Saturday) and the 19th (Sunday).
The schedule for the 18th lists a parade from 2:30 p.m., stage performances from 3:15 p.m., and the Andon Mikoshi Competition from 6:40 p.m.
An awards ceremony and awards parade were scheduled for the 19th, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.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 Gifu Prefecture / Seki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended so you can enjoy several events around Honmachi-dori.
If you’re visiting for the nighttime andon mikoshi, bring an easy-to-remove layer to prepare for chilly spring nights.
If you plan to take photos, a portable battery can also be useful in preparation for a long day out.
Source: 春の中濃を彩る二大まつり！華麗な『美濃まつり』と、勇壮な『関まつり』｜旅のコラム｜岐阜県観光公式サイト 「岐阜の旅ガイド」
Nearby attractions
There are places near the festival venue where you can experience Seki City’s culture and attractions.
Related spots introduced include the Seki Swordsmithing Tradition Museum, Kasuga Shrine, and the Seki Swordsmithing Tradition Museum.
If you would like to learn about the history of this city of cutlery, you can also visit nearby facilities and shrines alongside the festival.
フェザーミュージアム
岐阜県関市にある企業博物館
塚原遺跡公園展示館
岐阜県関市にある塚原遺跡に関する歴史資料館
岐阜県博物館
岐阜県関市にある県営の博物館
岐阜県百年公園
岐阜県関市にある公園
関市円空館
岐阜県関市にある博物館
Origins and History of Seki Festival
Seki Festival originated as annual festivals held at Kasuga Shrine in Minami-Kasuga-cho, Shinmei Shrine in Ise-cho, and Kifune Shrine in Kifune-cho.
Until the Edo period, it was held in January. The date was changed during the Meiji and Taisho periods.
Since 1991, the event has been held on the 3rd Saturday of April and the following Sunday, which is the current schedule.
Official information
The official Seki Tourism Navi has announced the decision to hold the 2026 event and the call for participants.
You can also check the Gifu Prefecture official tourism website’s Seki Festival information for the venue, event-day times, and access.
Seki Festival at a Glance
Set against the backdrop of shrine festivals, Seki Festival is a spring celebration in Seki City where you can enjoy a community parade and stage performances along Honmachi-dori, as well as illuminated andon mikoshi in the evening.
Mikoshi themed around the region’s cutlery culture and cormorant fishing add color to the city streets with their lights.
The 2026 event was announced for April 18 and 19.
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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