A festival where the giant dashi heading into the sea carries the prayers and hopes of Otomo
Otomari Gion
The 2026 edition of Otomari Gion has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/18 〜 2026/07/19Ended
- Location
- Otomo, Yobuko-cho, Karatsu City
- Area
- Saga Prefecture・Karatsu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 10 min · flight time only)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
- Required number of participants
- Around 50 young people
- Last updated
- 2026/11/12
Otomari Gion, passed down in Otomo, Yobuko-cho, Karatsu City, is a Gion festival known for its “ crossing the sea”—a giant dashi that parades through the district and advances into the sea. The festival carries forward prayers to drive away epidemics, for abundant harvests and for good catches.
About Otomari Gion
Otomari Gion is a Gion festival passed down in Otomo, Yobuko-cho, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture.
It is said that today’s Gion dashi originated when people prayed to drive away the cholera epidemic that spread in 1658 (the first year of the Manji era), attached to bamboo poles and paraded them through the district.
The festival’s defining feature is the 15m-high, 3-ton dashi carried by around 50 young people through the district before they take it into the sea.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the giant dashi moving from land into the sea.
The dashi is 15m high and weighs 3 tons, and around 50 young people carry it using 4 large poles.
After making a spirited procession through the district, the dashi enters the sea, vividly demonstrating the festival’s defining feature: “a dashi crossing the sea.”
Another distinctive highlight is that the festival carries hopes not only for protection from epidemics, but also for abundant harvests and good catches.
A festival where the giant dashi heading into the sea carries the prayers and hopes of Otomo
What to expect
During the festival, around 50 young people carry the dashi on 4 large poles as it parades through the district.
After that, the dashi enters the sea.
According to the 2026 information, were scheduled for the 18th, and shinji and events in the sea for the 19th. The timing of the events in the sea may shift depending on the tides and weather that day.
This festival lets you follow the local prayers through the shinji, the dashi procession and its movements in the sea.
How to take part
必要人数：若者約50人
Location and access
- Venue and address
Otomo, Yobuko-cho, Karatsu City
- Train and bus
From JR Karatsu Station, walk 5 minutes to the Karatsu (Oteguchi) Bus Center. Take a bus via Yobuko bound for Yobuko Daiba Minato Plaza, get off at Nagasago, then walk 10 minutes.
Address Otomo, Yobuko-cho, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 festival information (the dates listed have passed)
The festival was announced as scheduled to take place from July 18, 2026 (Saturday) to the 19th (Sunday).
Shinji are scheduled for 1 p.m. on the 18th and 1:30 p.m. on the 19th. The events in the sea are scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The timing of the events in the sea may shift depending on the tides and weather that day.
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 Saga Prefecture / Karatsu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Otomari no Hama Kyaranko Beach is in Otomo, Yobuko-cho, the same area as the festival venue.
It is known for its beautiful sandy beach and clear water, and is divided into Suiko no Hama to the east, Gion no Hama in the center and an artificial rocky shore to the west.
In the tide pools that appear at low tide, you can observe sea creatures such as sea anemones, sea urchins and starfish.
A fountain sculpture inspired by the festival’s dashi is also featured.
佐賀県立名護屋城博物館
佐賀県唐津市にある博物館
写真：Aboshi at Japanese Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
名護屋城
佐賀県の城跡
写真：Aboshi at Japanese Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
唐津神社
佐賀県唐津市南城内にある神社
末盧館
佐賀県唐津市にある博物館
河村美術館
佐賀県唐津市にある美術館
鏡神社
唐津市にある神社
Origins and History of Otomari Gion
Otomari Gion is said to have begun with prayers to drive away the cholera epidemic that spread in 1658 (the first year of the Manji era).
In the past, it was often held on a weekday because it took place at low tide during the spring tide on day 14 of lunar month 6 and the 15th. As the number of young people who formed the core of the carrying teams declined, older residents of the district carried the dashi.
The work to raise the underwater procession route was completed in June 2022, and the first festival after the work was held in July, making it possible to hold the festival on a weekend.
Official information
For inquiries, contact the Karatsu Tourism Association or the Yobuko Tourist Information Center.
The phone number is 0955-82-3426.
Otomari Gion at a Glance
Otomari Gion is a Gion festival in Otomo, Yobuko-cho, Karatsu City, said to have begun in 1658 with prayers to drive away epidemics.
The dashi is known as “a dashi crossing the sea” because around 50 young people carry it through the district before taking the 15m-high, 3-ton structure into the sea.
The festival carries hopes for protection from epidemics, abundant harvests and good catches. In 2022, improvements to the underwater procession route made it possible to hold the festival on a weekend.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/12
