A fox wedding lights up Furukawa’s streets beneath the glow of torches
Kitsunebi Festival
The 2026 edition of Kitsunebi Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/09/26Ended
- Season / frequency
- 4th Saturday of September / Every year
- Location
- Festival plaza
- Area
- Gifu Prefecture・Hida 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free fox makeup
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This festival gives a modern take on the Hida Furukawa folktale “The Fox’s Wedding,” with a bride and groom dressed as foxes and their entourage parading through town. At the festival plaza, you can enjoy ceremonies, a marche, and fox face painting.
About Kitsunebi Festival
The Kitsunebi Festival is a modern interpretation of the story of the “Fox’s Wedding,” handed down in Hida-Furukawa.
A bridal procession takes place through the streets of Furukawa Town, with a bride and groom dressed as foxes at its center.
The procession is said to embody wishes for abundant harvests, household safety, and prosperity in business, among others.
The festival is linked to the of Mikura Inari and continues amid the town’s local streetscape.
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the wedding procession, in which foxes carrying torches and lanterns lead the bride and groom in a rickshaw.
In the evening, the procession heads through Furukawa toward the festival plaza, accompanied by drums, bells, and other musical instruments.
Ceremonies are held at the plaza before and after the procession, and the Kitsunebi Marche is also open.
Visitors can also enjoy the town’s atmosphere by having their faces made up as foxes.
Source: きつね火まつり〜飛騨古川が狐だらけになる1日！〜｜旅のコラム｜岐阜県観光公式サイト 「岐阜の旅ガイド」 / きつね火まつり｜イベント｜岐阜県観光公式サイト 「岐阜の旅ガイド」
A fox wedding lights up Furukawa’s streets beneath the glow of torches
What to expect
The day begins with the annual festival of Mikura Inari Shrine, followed by a ceremonial rickshaw procession from the shrine through town to the festival plaza.
At the festival plaza, there are a celebratory ceremony, the Kitsunebi Marche, and fox face painting around town.
In the evening, the wedding procession sets off through Furukawa, and after returning to the festival plaza, the festivities conclude with the closing ceremony.
The program is designed so visitors can move around town and enjoy activities from daytime events through the nighttime procession.
How to take part
General visitors can join the festival by having fox makeup applied around town.
Fox makeup is available around Matsuri Plaza, where visitors can also enjoy dressing up as foxes.
The roles of bride and groom are special positions filled through an open call and are separate from the usual participation available to visitors.
Visitors can enjoy the procession and ceremonies as spectators in the town.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Festival plaza, central Furukawa Town, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture.
The wedding procession makes its way through Furukawa.
- Train and bus
It is a 5-minute walk from JR Hida-Furukawa Station.
- Parking
Parking is available and free of charge.
Address Central Furukawa Town, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)
In 2026, the event was held on September 26 (Saturday), with the Kitsunebi Marche and fox face painting around town starting at 12 p.m.
The annual festival of Mikura Inari Shrine is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., and the ceremonial rickshaw appearance for 2:30 p.m.
The wedding procession was scheduled to make its way through Furukawa from 6:30 p.m., followed by the closing ceremony from 7:20 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
It is held on the 4th Saturday of September in a typical year.
Source: きつね火まつり - Wikipedia
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 / Hida City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The wedding procession takes place from evening into the night, so comfortable clothing and shoes for walking in the dark are recommended.
When watching the procession, please stand where you will not block pedestrians or the procession's route.
The area around the venue may be crowded at certain times, as a marche and face painting are held there.
If traveling by car, it is advisable to check the terms of use for facilities near the venue and the traffic guidance for the day before setting out.
Nearby attractions
Near the festival venue are the Hida Furukawa Festival Museum, the Hida Craftsmen’s Culture Hall, and the Setogawa River and White-Walled Storehouse District.
The Hida Furukawa Festival Museum introduces the Hida Furukawa Festival and the Okoshi Daiko, while the Hida Craftsmen’s Culture Hall exhibits the skills and tools of master craftsmen.
The Setogawa River and White-Walled Storehouse District are presented as iconic views of Hida Furukawa, a former castle town.
Nearby places where you can experience Furukawa’s history and townscape alongside the festival.
Origins and History of Kitsunebi Festival
The Kitsunebi Festival began in 1990 (Heisei 2), organized by the Furukawa Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry in what was then Yoshiki District, with the aim of revitalizing the town.
It took shape as an event that adapted the local folktale “The Fox’s Wedding” for modern times.
It began as a Chamber of Commerce event, but was combined with the annual festival of Mikura Inari Shrine to become what it is today.
The event has continued as a festival in town, bringing together a community revitalization event and a shrine’s annual festival.
Official information
Information on the event date, venue, day-of activities, and access is available on the official Gifu tourism website, “Gifu Travel Guide.”
The 2026 event information also lists the related resource “Kitsunebi Festival Flyer 2026.”
Kitsunebi Festival at a Glance
The Kitsunebi Festival is centered on a wedding procession through town, inspired by the Hida Furukawa folktale “The Fox’s Wedding.”
A fox procession adorned with torches, lanterns, and musical instruments makes its way through Furukawa, with ceremonies held at the festival plaza.
Visitors can join in the festival atmosphere by having their faces made up as foxes.
In 2026, it was scheduled to be held on September 26 alongside the annual festival of Mikura Inari Shrine and a marche.
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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