Boats and mikoshi enliven the harbor: a sea festival passed down in Manazuru
Kibune Festival
The 2026 edition of Kibune Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/24 〜 2026/07/25Ended
- Season / frequency
- 2 days in late July / Every year
- Location
- Kibune Shrine, the area around Manazuru Port, and within Manazuru
- Area
- Kanagawa Prefecture・Manazuru Town(From Tokyo: approx. 30 min–1 h · 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
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This annual grand festival of Kibune Shrine unfolds in Manazuru’s harbor and town, featuring splendid kobaya boats and boats, Kashima Odori, flower-decorated floats, and music. A tradition expressing wishes for safety at sea and a good catch has been passed down as a two-day festival.
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kazuhiro.manazuru File:貴船神社の神輿（貴船まつり）.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kazuhiro.manazuru File:Kobaya hayashi.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.About Kibune Festival
The Kibune Festival is an annual grand festival held at Kibune Shrine in Manazuru, a two-day celebration offering prayers for a good catch, safety at sea, and good health.
Centered on the maritime procession, in which splendidly decorated kobaya boats and mikoshi boats cross the harbor, the festival also features Kashima Odori, flower-decorated floats, and hayashi music.
Manazuru’s way of life, closely connected with fishing, the stone industry, and coastal shipping, has been passed down through the form of the festival.
Source: 令和8年度 貴船まつり - 真鶴町観光協会 / 貴船まつり – 相州真鶴 貴船神社
Festival highlights
The highlight is the maritime procession, in which kobaya boats, mikoshi boats, and hayashi music boats adorned with floral decorations and streamers make their way through the harbor.
Lanterns are lit on the kobaya boats at night, their traditional silhouettes appearing to float in the harbor.
The festival is also distinguished by performances of Kashima Odori and a procession through town, during which flower-decorated floats about 3 meters tall and weighing more than 60 kilograms are vigorously swayed.
Source: 貴船まつり - Wikipedia
Boats and mikoshi enliven the harbor: a sea festival passed down in Manazuru
What to expect
On the eve of the festival, preparations for the boats, ceremonies at the shrine, a Kashima Odori performance, the departure of the mikoshi, and a ceremony at the temporary shrine take place in succession.
On the day itself, flower-decorated floats, the Kashima group, the mikoshi, and the hayashi performers process through town. From evening into night, the mikoshi returns to the shrine and the maritime procession takes place.
The sounds of boat songs, flutes, drums, and gongs accompany the progress of the festival.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Manazuru, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture (Kibune Shrine, the area around Manazuru Port, and within Manazuru)
- Train and bus
Manazuru Station on the JR Tokaido Line is the nearest station.
For Kibune Shrine, get off at the Miyanomae bus stop on a Hakone Tozan Bus; the shrine is just a short walk away.
- Parking
貴船神社付近に駐車場の記載があります。
Source: 貴船神社とまなづる小学校（真鶴町真鶴） - 神奈川県ホームページ
Address Manazuru, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (the published dates have passed)
In 2026, it was held on July 24 (Friday) and the 25th (Saturday).
It was announced as usually scheduled for the final Saturday in July and the preceding day, but the 2026 schedule was announced for Friday and Saturday.
The program was expected to include a maritime procession, Kashima Odori, flower-decorated floats, and hayashi music; a dedication of fireworks was also announced for the night of the 25th.
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 Kanagawa Prefecture / Manazuru Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Festival events take place not only around Kibune Shrine and Manazuru Port, but also on roads and quays throughout Manazuru.
Vehicle traffic and access may be restricted during the procession through town and during pedestrian-only periods.
The 2026 information states that vehicles may not enter designated areas from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 25th.
Nearby attractions
お林展望公園
神奈川県真鶴町の公園
Kifune Shrine
神奈川県真鶴町に所在する神社
Origins and History of Kibune Festival
Behind the Kibune Festival lies a tradition dating to Kanpei 1 (889), associated with the founding of Kibune Shrine.
In Jōō 2 (1652), a rite called “prayers aboard the boat” was held: the deity’s spirit was transferred to a boat, and prayers were offered for the fishing boats and stone-carrying boats in the harbor. This is considered the prototype of today’s festival.
The festival was designated an Intangible Cultural Property of Kanagawa Prefecture in 1958, a Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1976, and a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1996.
Official information
The 2026 festival information was published by the Manazuru Tourism Association and Sōshū Manazuru Kibune Shrine.
The information outlines the dates, venues, and events such as the maritime procession, and notes that details may change depending on the weather and social conditions.
Kibune Festival at a Glance
The Kibune Festival is a traditional boat festival that brings together boats, mikoshi, dances, flower-decorated floats, and hayashi music in Manazuru’s harbor and town.
Highlights include not only the splendid boats in the maritime procession, but also the mikoshi and Kashima Odori procession through town, and the flower-decorated floats swayed with great energy.
In 2026, it was held on July 24 and the 25th, around Kibune Shrine and Manazuru Port.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
