Name: Kuzutsuka Festival
Start: 2026-09-06
End: 2026-09-08
Location: Kuzutsuka area (around Isurugi Shrine and Inari Shrine)

A traditional festival held in the Kuzutsuka area of Kita Ward, Niigata City, centered on the festivals of Isurugi Shrine and Inari Shrine. Events that evoke the area's history continue, including lantern processions, , and the -iri-mai on the final day.

About Kuzutsuka Festival

The Kuzutsuka Festival is a local festival in the Kuzutsuka area of Kita Ward, Niigata City, a collective name for the autumn festivals of Isurugi Shrine and Kuzutsuka Inari Shrine and related events.

Lanterns from each neighborhood process through the streets, alongside shrine visits, kagura dances, and processions.

Rooted in the history of the former Toyosaka city center, it remains a traditional event that brings color to Kuzutsuka.

Source: 葛塚まつり｜新潟のイベント｜【公式】新潟県のおすすめ観光・旅行情報！にいがた観光ナビ / 葛塚祭 | 新潟市北区観光協会

Festival highlights

The biggest highlight is the Tōrō-iri-mai, also known as the lantern pushing contest, held on the final evening.

Lanterns from Isurugi Shrine and Inari Shrine are carried out from their neighborhoods and led in procession by flutes and large drums, after which the lanterns collide with one another.

Marching band performances, dashi processions, and kagura dances, along with around 200 food and market stalls, are among the festival's attractions.

Source: 葛塚まつり - Wikipedia

Kuzutsuka's autumn festival, where lantern processions meet the rhythms of kagura

What to expect

The festival unfolds as lanterns and processions from each neighborhood make their way through Kuzutsuka, followed by visits to Isurugi Shrine and Inari Shrine.

During the festival, you can also see elementary school students' parades, marching band performances, and kagura processions.

On the final day, the Tōrō-iri-mai and lantern pushing contest take place, with lanterns facing off to the sounds of flutes and large taiko drums.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address

Kuzutsuka district (around Isurugi Shrine and Inari Shrine), Kuzutsuka, Kita Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture.

Train and bus

About a 6-minute walk from Toyosaka Station on the JR Hakushin Line.

By car

About 5 minutes from Toyosaka Niigata Higashi Port IC on the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway, or about 10 minutes from Keiba-jo IC or Toyosaka IC on the Shin-Shin Bypass (National Route 7).

Parking

Kita Ward Office and Kita Ward Cultural Hall are designated as temporary parking areas.

You may also use the parking lots and toilets at nearby public facilities.

Address Kuzutsuka, Kita Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 Festival Information (the dates listed have passed)

In 2026, the festival was scheduled to run from September 6 (Sun) through September 8 (Tue).

It is held every year from September 6 through the 8th as the autumn festivals of Isurugi Shrine and Inari Shrine.

On September 8, you can see the Tōrō-iri-mai, the festival's grand finale.

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Niigata Prefecture / Niigata City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

The Lantern Entry Dance includes scenes in which lanterns collide. Please watch safely from a place that does not obstruct the event.

The festival takes place in the urban area of the Kuzutsuka district, and traffic restrictions and congestion on nearby roads may occur during the festival period.

新潟市にある公園

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Photo and data sources

写真：User: (WT-shared) Shoestring at wts wikivoyage / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Origins and History of Kuzutsuka Festival

The Kuzutsuka Festival has its roots in the establishment of the Kuzutsuka market and the festivals of Isurugi Shrine and Inari Shrine.

The market's establishment was officially approved in 1761, and starting the following year, 1762, day 7 of lunar month 8 and the 8th were designated as festival days for both shrines to commemorate the approval.

Since 1873, Inari Shrine's autumn festival has been held on the Gregorian calendar date September 8, corresponding to day 8 of lunar month 8.

Official information

Information about the dates, transportation around the venue, and parking is available on Niigata Tourism Navi.

Details about the origins and events of the Kuzutsuka Festival can be found in the information provided by the Niigata City Kita Ward Tourism Association.

The contact listed is the Commerce and Tourism Group, Industrial Promotion Division, Kita Ward Office, Niigata City.