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Gifu Prefecture · Mino City (From Tokyo: approx. 2 h–2 h 30 min · bullet train + connecting train)

A spring festival that brings color to town with cherry-blossom-pink flower mikoshi, dashi, and Niwaka

Mino Matsuri

An image of the festival themed around Mino Matsuri

The 2026 edition of Mino Matsuri has ended.

Festival information

EVENT INFORMATION
Dates
2026/04/11 〜 2026/04/12Ended
Season / frequency
The 2nd Saturday of April and the following Sunday each year / Every year
Location
Hachiman Shrine and the Udatsu no Agaru Machinami district
Area
Gifu Prefecture・Mino 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
Last updated
2026/10/19

This spring festival brings color to Mino with flower decorated with cherry-blossom-pink Mino washi, with mechanical puppets, and improvised Nagashi Niwaka performances.

About Mino Matsuri

Mino Matsuri is the spring festival held at Hachiman Shrine in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture.

The festival unfolds throughout the Udatsu no Agaru Machinami district, centering on 3 events: flower mikoshi, dashi, and Nagashi Niwaka.

Flower mikoshi adorned with cherry-blossom-pink Mino washi have become a symbol of the festival, connecting it with the region’s industry and streetscape.

Source: 美濃まつり |イベント/お祭り|美濃市観光協会 / 美濃まつり - Wikipedia

Festival highlights

For Saturday’s flower mikoshi, “shinai” adorned with flowers made of Mino washi dyed cherry-blossom pink are attached to the mikoshi roofs, and more than 30 mikoshi of various sizes parade through the city.

On Sunday, 6 dashi with mechanical puppets appear, along with parade floats featuring characters such as Momotaro and Urashima Taro.

From evening onward, Nagashi Niwaka performances, with satirical humor and witty wordplay, are accompanied by flutes, drums, and other festival music.

A spring festival that brings color to town with cherry-blossom-pink flower mikoshi, dashi, and Niwaka

What to expect

The festival spans 2 days: flower mikoshi parade through the city on Saturday, followed by dashi and parade floats on Sunday.

Both evenings feature Niwaka performances by neighborhood, and a contest featuring groups from each neighborhood was also scheduled for Saturday in 2026.

Accompanied by music played on flutes, taiko drums, small hand drums and other instruments, Niwaka performers make their way through town and present improvised skits at designated locations.

Location and access

Venue and address

The festival is held around Hachiman Shrine (1238 Kamijo, Mino City) and throughout the Udatsu no Agaru Machinami district.

Train and bus

It is about a 15-minute walk from Mino-shi Station on the Nagaragawa Railway.

By car

It is about 10 minutes from Mino IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.

Parking

Parking is available at locations including the Kanko Fureai Hiroba.

Address 1238 Kamijo, Mino City

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the festival was held from April 11 (Sat) to April 12 (Sun).

April 11 features flower mikoshi, while April 12 centers on dashi and parade floats. Nagashi Niwaka takes place both evenings.

This festival is held on the 2nd Saturday of April and the following Sunday each year.

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

Tips for your visit

The flower mikoshi and dashi floats parade through the city, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

For 2026, a traffic restriction map covering the flower mikoshi, dashi floats, and parade groups has been provided. If you’re driving, visitors are advised to use the designated parking lots.

If you plan to watch the niwaka performances in the evening, a jacket that’s easy to put on and take off will come in handy for the spring night.

Source: 春の中濃を彩る二大まつり!華麗な『美濃まつり』と、勇壮な『関まつり』|旅のコラム|岐阜県観光公式サイト 「岐阜の旅ガイド」

Nearby attractions

Origins and History of Mino Matsuri

Mino Matsuri is a Hachiman Shrine festival that has continued since the Edo period. Festivals at shrines enshrined together with Hachiman Shrine from the Meiji period onward are also held as part of it.

It was once called “Kamiyuchi Matsuri,” and came to be known as “Mino Matsuri” after the town was renamed Mino.

Today’s flower mikoshi developed from creations used in the Edo-period rainmaking event “Machisawagi,” including flower mikoshi that appeared in Kaei 6.

Source: 市指定無形民俗文化財 美濃まつり - 美濃市

Official information

The Mino City Tourism Association’s event information provides the 2026 dates, venue, transportation access, parking information, and schedules for the flower mikoshi and Niwaka.

Mino Matsuri at a Glance

Mino Matsuri is a festival at Hachiman Shrine in Mino City, comprising 3 parts: flower mikoshi, dashi and parade floats, and Nagashi Niwaka.

Flower mikoshi decorated with cherry-blossom-pink Mino washi parade through town, followed the next day by dashi with mechanical puppets and parade floats.

In the evening, each neighborhood presents Niwaka performances, offering a chance to enjoy the historic streetscape and local festival culture together.

#Perform music#Compete#Dance#Held at night#In town

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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