Kanbe Ishidori Festival

Festival highlights

A highlight is the tosaijunko procession, as 8 dashi make their way through the neighborhood toward Kanbe Sosha, sounding gongs and drums.

The festival’s energy builds as the dashi gather at Kanbe Sosha and offer stones and gongs and drums.

The dashi of Tokiwacho, Kitakayacho, Minamigayacho, and other neighborhoods each have different designs and construction, offering a glimpse into the history of their communities.

The dashi lineup in front of Kanbe Sosha on Saturday is also an opportunity to compare them.

Source: 神戸石取祭 | イベント | 観光三重(かんこうみえ)

8 dashi bring Kanbe’s summer to life with gongs and drums

What to expect

The festival begins with the tatakidashi on Friday, followed by the shigakubi on Saturday and the honrakubi on Sunday.

During the festival, the dashi parade through the neighborhood, and the sounds of gongs and drums echo through Kanbe.

On the main festival day, the tosaijunko procession and hanaguruma tosaijunko take place, and the dashi gather at Kanbe Sosha.

At Kanbe Sosha, offerings of stones and gongs and drums are made, followed by a period of watching the movements of each neighborhood’s dashi and festival participants.

Source: 神戸石取祭 - Wikipedia

How to take part

The festival groups that pull the floats are organized by each neighborhood.

For general visitors, Kobe Sosha Shrine’s information says, “Everyone is welcome.”

No general participant recruitment to pull the floats or other activities, nor any conditions for participating on the day, have been announced.

Visitors who wish to watch can see the festival floats parading through town and the togyo at Kobe Sosha Shrine.

Location and access

Venue and address

The festival takes place mainly at Kobe Sosha Shrine (2-18-28 Kobe, Suzuka, Mie Prefecture) and throughout Kobe Town.

Train and bus

It’s a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Suzuka Station.

By car

Traffic restrictions will be in effect during the festival.

Address 2-18-28 Kanbe, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 Festival Information (The listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the festival was held from July 24 (Fri) to July 26 (Sun).

Friday the 24th is the tatakidashi, Saturday the 25th is the shigakubi, and Sunday the 26th is the honrakubi.

According to the official information, the tatakidashi is scheduled from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the honrakubi from around 4 p.m. to midnight.

The 2026 festival has ended.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Traffic restrictions will be in effect in Kobe Town during the festival, so if you’re coming by car, be sure to check your route.

The sound of gongs and taiko drums rings out nearby as the festival floats parade and take part in the togyo.

Please follow instructions and on-site directions when watching, and make sure not to obstruct the festival floats or participants.

As the festival also takes place at night, it’s a good idea to check your transport options for the return trip in advance.

Nearby attractions

Near Kanbe Sosha are Senshuji Kanbe Betsuin, Gankyoji Temple, Marukawa Confectionery, Aburai Ryokan, and Shinpukuji Temple.

Places to visit around the Kanbe district alongside the festival include Senshuji Kanbe Betsuin, 20 m in a straight line from Kanbe Sosha, and Gankyoji Temple, 79 m away.

The Kanbe district also has a history as the castle town of Kanbe and as a post town on the Ise Sangu Kaido; remains of the Mitsuke gate, stone lanterns, and road markers can still be found there.

Parks and gardensSuzuka City

モートピア

鈴鹿サーキットの敷地内にある遊園地

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写真：Morio / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Temples and shrinesSuzuka City

椿大神社

三重県鈴鹿市にある神社

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Museums and art museumsSuzuka City

鈴鹿市考古博物館

三重県鈴鹿市にある博物館

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写真：Saigen Jiro / CC0

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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 Kanbe Ishidori Festival

Kanbe Ishidori Festival is said to have begun around Meiji 30, when three neighborhoods—Tokiwacho, Kitakayacho, and Minamigayacho—received dashi from Kuwana, considered the birthplace of the Ishidori Festival, and pulled them as part of their existing summer festival.

From the Meiji through Taisho eras, it was held by the 3 neighborhoods. Later, Rokugo-ren, which originated in Jishicho and Higashiishibashicho, and Higashimachi joined.

In the Heisei era, Kita-Tokaichicho and Kita-Shincho also joined, and the festival grew to feature 8 dashi.

Official information

Official information about Kanbe Ishidori Festival is available on the official Kanbe Ishidori Festival website.

Kanbe Sosha’s official website also featured the 2026 festival schedule and background information about the festival.

For the latest information on the schedule, traffic restrictions, and festival proceedings, consult the official website and information from Kanbe Sosha.

Kanbe Ishidori Festival at a Glance

Kanbe Ishidori Festival is a summer festival in the Kanbe district of Suzuka City, where 8 dashi sound gongs and drums.

From the Friday tatakidashi through the Saturday shigakubi and Sunday honrakubi, the dashi parade through the neighborhood, with a tosaijunko procession and offerings at Kanbe Sosha.

The festival is said to have begun around Meiji 30, and the history and aspirations of each neighborhood are passed down through its dashi.

In 2026, the festival was held from July 24 through the 26th.