A summer festival carrying on the Uneme legend, with taiko and dancing bringing the city to life
Koriyama Uneme Festival
The 2026 edition of Koriyama Uneme Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/06 〜 2026/08/08Ended
- Season / frequency
- The first Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of every year in August / Every year
- Location
- Koriyama Station West Exit Plaza, Ekimae Odori, and other locations
- Area
- Fukushima Prefecture・Koriyama City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min · bullet 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
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A summer festival in Koriyama, themed around the Nara-period Uneme story, with dancing and bringing the area around Koriyama Station to life.
About Koriyama Uneme Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 藍原あおい File:郡山うねめまつり2015.JPG / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Koriyama Uneme Festival is a summer festival centered on the Uneme story, about a court lady from the Nara period, and organized mainly by Koriyama City and the Koriyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The festival was created with the aim of bringing the community together, and today features dance processions and taiko performances, mainly on Ekimae Odori.
A festival of local culture connected to exchange with Nara City through the Uneme legend.
Source: 第62回郡山うねめまつり / 郡山うねめまつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the dance procession, in which dancers in elaborately designed costumes move along the lantern-lit Ekimae Odori alongside floats.
A 3.3-meter-diameter 10-shaku ooshime-daiko resounds, bringing the power of the festival’s signature large drum to life.
The program also includes the Miss Uneme Parade, hyottoko dancing, and a contest celebrating attire.
Source: 「第62回郡山うねめまつり」開催!! | お知らせ - 郡山へ行こう：郡山市観光協会【福島県】
A summer festival carrying on the Uneme legend, with taiko and dancing bringing the city to life
What to expect
On the first day, the Uneme Memorial Service is held at Uneme Shrine. In 2026, performances, contests, and a Toka-e lantern event were also planned at the west exit station plaza and other venues.
On the second and third days, the Miss Uneme Parade and opening ceremony take place on Ekimae Odori, followed from 6:30 p.m. by the dance procession, a mass dance, and an awards ceremony.
Visitors can also take part in a 10-shaku taiko drumming experience at the station plaza.
Source: 夏のイベントを楽しもう - 郡山市公式ウェブサイト
How to take part
The dance parade is generally a group activity, with teams formed at workplaces, schools, and other organizations.
The groups participating in 2026 include schools, companies, community groups, and sports organizations.
The information describes joining the dance parade as part of a group, in addition to watching, but does not say whether individuals can participate.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Koriyama Station.
The main venues are the plaza outside the station’s west exit and Ekimae Odori; the program varies by date.
- Train and bus
A 2-minute walk from JR Koriyama Station.
- By car
About 7 km from Koriyama IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
Traffic restrictions related to the event have been announced for 2026.
Source: 【開催決定】第62回郡山うねめまつり – 東北のまつり｜東北のまつりの最新情報を発信
Event venue 福島県郡山市 郡山駅西口駅前広場
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 festival information (the dates listed have passed)
In 2026, the festival was held over 3 days, from August 6 (Thursday) to August 8 (Saturday).
The schedule includes the Uneme Memorial Service on the first day, followed by the Uneme dance procession and other events on Ekimae Odori on the 7th and 8th.
The dance procession was scheduled to begin at 18:30 on both days, followed by a mass dance and an awards ceremony.
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 Fukushima Prefecture / Koriyama City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The venue and program vary from day to day, so it’s a good idea to check the time and place of the events you want to see in advance.
Since many groups parade along Ekimae Odori during the dance parade, it’s best to choose a viewing spot early.
Traffic restrictions related to the event were also announced for 2026.
Nearby attractions
21世紀記念公園麓山の杜
福島県郡山市にある公園
こおりやま文学の森資料館
福島県郡山市にある資料館
五百淵公園
福島県郡山市にある公園
大安場史跡公園
郡山市にある国指定史跡を中心として都市公園
安積国造神社
福島県郡山市にある神社
安積歴史博物館
福島県郡山市にある博物館
日本きもの美術館
福島県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
田村神社 (郡山市)
福島県郡山市にある神社
郡山市ふれあい科学館
福島県郡山市にある宇宙をテーマとした科学館
郡山市歴史資料館
日本の博物館
郡山市立美術館
福島県郡山市にある美術館
郡山市開成館
福島県郡山市にある野外博物館
Origins and History of Koriyama Uneme Festival
The Koriyama Uneme Festival began in 1965, after the former Koriyama City merged with 9 towns and villages in Asaka District, amid growing calls for a festival that could bring the community together.
The present-day festival, centered on the Uneme story, is generally considered to have held its first edition in this year.
Koriyama Uneme Taiko was added in 1993, and a yukata contest began in 2002.
Official information
The latest information on dates, events at each venue, participating groups, traffic restrictions, and more is available on the official website for the 62nd Koriyama Uneme Festival, operated by the Koriyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
For inquiries, contact the Koriyama Uneme Festival Executive Committee at 024-921-2610.
Koriyama Uneme Festival at a Glance
The Koriyama Uneme Festival carries on the Uneme story and brings the local summer to life with dancing and taiko in the streets around the station.
In 2026, the festival was held from August 6 through the 8th, with a range of events centered on the first-day memorial service and the dance processions on the 7th and 8th.
The dances on Ekimae Odori and the 10-shaku taiko are major highlights.
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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