Shimane Prefecture · Matsue City (From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min · flight time only)

The resonant dō drums and spirited procession bring generations together in the castle town

Matsue Festival Do Gyoretsu

Name: Matsue Festival Do Gyoretsu（Period 3）
Start: 2026-10-18
End: 2026-10-18
Location: The urban route runs from Matsue Castle Otemae through the area around Tonomachi and across Matsue Ohashi Bridge to Shirakata Tenmangu Shrine

Drums and music Mikoshi and dashi Processions and parades

A festival-themed image of the Matsue Festival Do Gyoretsu

The 2026 edition of Matsue Festival Do Gyoretsu has ended.

Festival information

EVENT INFORMATION

Dates: 第1期：2026/10/03Ended第2期：2026/10/17Ended第3期：2026/10/18Ended
Season / frequency: Every year (the third Sunday of October)
Location: The urban route runs from Matsue Castle Otemae through the area around Tonomachi and across Matsue Ohashi Bridge to Shirakata Tenmangu Shrine
Area: Shimane Prefecture・Matsue City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 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: Open to general participation Children can participate In town
Highlights and activities: Pull Carry or lift Perform music
Wishes behind the festival: Good harvests and abundant crops
Participation / viewing: Open to public participation / spectators welcome
Participation fee: Free viewing area available. No admission fee information is provided.
Age restrictions: Open to participants from children to adults
Required number of participants: It depends on the type of participation. Around 100–130 people take part in the procession across the festival as a whole.
Official website / social media: Official website
Last updated: 2026/10/19

The Matsue Festival Dō Parade is a traditional autumn event in Matsue, with children pulling dō floats carrying large dō drums while young people beat the drums as they make their way through the castle town. The 2026 information stated that the main parade was scheduled for October 18 (Sunday).

About Matsue Festival Do Gyoretsu

The Matsue Festival Dō Parade is a traditional autumn event celebrating the founding of Matsue.

Children pull dō floats carrying large dō drums, while young people beat the drums as the parade makes its way through the castle town.

Another notable feature is that local neighborhoods and groups, along with people from children to adults, support the festival, which has been passed down across generations.

Festival highlights

A highlight is the dōguya, a roofed float carrying a dō drum about 1.2–1.8 meters in diameter.

Children in matching coats pull the float as drummers beat out a rhythm to the accompaniment of flutes and changara.

Before the procession departs, there is also a joint dō-drum performance, and the sound rings out across the castle town.

Source: 松江祭鼕行列 | しまね観光ナビ｜島根県公式観光情報サイト / 松江観光協会 - イベント|伝統行事・年中行事一覧|伝統行事|松江祭鼕行列 (まつえさいどうぎょうれつ)

The resonant dō drums and spirited procession bring generations together in the castle town

What to expect

In 2026, three events are scheduled: the Dō Festival, the eve-of-festival event and the Matsue Festival Do Gyoretsu.

For the main procession, participants gather at Matsue Castle Otemae and depart at 13:30 after the ceremony, heading through the Tonomachi area and across Matsue Ohashi Bridge to Shirakata Tenmangu Shrine.

Participants share the roles of pulling the dōguya, beating the dō drums, and playing flutes and changara.

Source: 【公式サイト】松江市鼕行列保存会 2026.10.18(日)開催

How to take part

People from the local community, from children to adults, support the festival across generations.

There are many ways to take part, such as beating the dō drums, pulling the dō-miya, trying the experience, or supporting the festival through volunteering or sponsorship.

The tradition of sharing responsibilities among neighborhoods and organizations and creating the festival together is carried on.

This event offers ways to participate beyond simply watching.

Those who wish to participate can choose how to get involved, such as beating the dō drums, pulling the dō-miya, joining an activity, volunteering, or sponsoring.

Drum beaters and pullers support the festival by joining activities organized by their neighborhood or group.

Information is available for first-time participants, and people of all ages, from children to adults, are welcome.

Details on how to participate and recruitment requirements are available in the participation guide.

Source: 松江観光協会 - イベント|イベント内容

Location and access

Venue and address

The Matsue Festival Dō Parade sets off from Matsue Castle Otemae, proceeds through the area around Tonomachi and across Matsue Ohashi Bridge, and continues to Shirakata Tenmangu Shrine.

The address is 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue City (near Matsue Castle).

Train and bus

The south venue for the eve-of-festival events is the north exit of JR Matsue Station.

松江祭鼕行列当日は、県民会館周辺から松江大橋、白潟天満宮周辺で11:30～16:30に路線バスの経路変更が予定されています。

Visitors are advised to use public transportation.

By car

Roads around the area are subject to traffic restrictions on parade day.

Road closure times and sections vary by day, so please follow the instructions of on-site police officers.

Parking

There is no dedicated parking near the venue.

松江城大手前駐車場には無料観覧席が用意され、12:00から先着順で利用できますが、駐車場としては臨時休業・利用制限の案内があります。

Source: 鼕行列のご案内 / 松江祭鼕行列 2026 | しまね観光ナビ｜島根県公式観光情報サイト

Address 1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture (near Matsue Castle)

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Dates and season

Period 1: 2026/10/03
Period 2: 2026/10/17
Period 3: 2026/10/18

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

2026年は、10月3日（土）に鼕まつりが松江城大手前広場で19:00から21:00まで開かれます。

10月17日（土）の宵宮は、松江城大手前広場で19:00から21:00まで、JR松江駅北口で18:30から20:30まで行われます。

中心行事の松江祭鼕行列は10月18日（日）で、12:00に集合、13:00に式典、13:30に出発し、松江城から松江大橋を経て白潟天満宮へ巡行します。

Source: 松江観光協会 - イベント|伝統行事・年中行事一覧|2026 年のイベント行事予定 (2026.6.29 現在)

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

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Tips for your visit

Roads around the area are subject to traffic restrictions on parade day, and bus routes may be changed or stops suspended. It is recommended that you allow extra time and use public transportation.

無料観覧席は12:00から先着順で、高齢者・障がい者の優先席もあります。

The use of drones and arriving under the influence of alcohol are prohibited around the venue, and visitors are asked to take their trash home.

島根県松江市にある博物館

Visit the official page ↗

Photo and data sources

写真：Asturio Cantabrio / CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Origins and History of Matsue Festival Do Gyoretsu

Its origins lie in the Heian-period New Year custom of Sagicho, which spread to the Izumo region and was held as the Tondo event.

After Matsue Castle Town was established in 1607, people paraded through the castle town playing dō drums, flutes and changara, praying for a bountiful harvest.

The present-day dō procession began when each neighborhood built a dōguya and paraded it for the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Taisho in Taisho 4 (1915).

Since 2006, the event has been held on the third Sunday of October.

Source: 鼕と鼕行列の歴史

Official information

Official information is available on the Matsue City Dō Gyoretsu Preservation Society website.

You can check the 2026 event details, dates and times, venues, spectator information, traffic restrictions, procession route and ways to participate.

Telephone numbers for the Matsue Tourism Association and the Matsue City Culture and Sports Department's Cultural Promotion Division are also listed as inquiry contacts.

Visit the official website