A traditional festival rooted in Mitsu, where the daimyo procession brings the town together
Mitsu Gion Festival
The 2026 edition of Mitsu Gion Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/12Ended
- Season / frequency
- Early July Sunday
- Location
- in front of JR Akitsu Station to Soga Shrine
- Area
- Hiroshima Prefecture・Higashihiroshima City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 50 min–4 h 20 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
- Open to public participation
- Last updated
- 2026/11/12
The Mitsu Gion Festival in Mitsu, Akitsu-cho, Higashihiroshima, has continued since the Edo period. Its highlight is the daimyo procession, with shrine attendants, a , and performers carrying long spears moving through town to the music.
About Mitsu Gion Festival
The Mitsu Gion Festival is a traditional festival in Mitsu, Akitsu-cho, Higashihiroshima, dating back to the Edo period.
The daimyo procession forms a line of shrine attendants, a mikoshi, performers carrying long spears, and others, and makes its way through the town of Akitsu.
The local preservation association passes on the procession’s movements, and the festival is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Higashihiroshima City.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the daimyo procession, with shrine attendants, a mikoshi, and performers carrying long spears, moving to the music of the Kamiboke .
The procession takes several hours to slowly cover the approximately 4-kilometer route from the otabisho in front of JR Akitsu Station to Soga Shrine.
The sight of a procession of about 100 people making its way through town reflects the festival’s traditions.
A traditional festival rooted in Mitsu, where the daimyo procession brings the town together
What to expect
As part of the 2026 recruitment program for festival participants, practice sessions were held before the main event, where the local preservation association taught participants the steps and movements for tossing the spear and carrying a hasamibako box.
On the day, participants dressed in festival attire, carried ritual implements, and walked through the town of Akitsu as members of the daimyo procession.
After the event, a gathering was held to thank the participants, where local people and participants shared their thoughts about the festival.
How to take part
In 2026, participants came from outside the prefecture to join the recruitment program for festival participants.
Participants learn the movements in practice sessions led by the preservation association, then join the daimyo procession for the main event.
People from outside the local area have been welcomed as participants.
In the 2026 recruitment program for festival participants, people joined practice sessions and then took part in the main event as members of the daimyo procession.
Participants learn to toss the spear and carry a hasamibako box, then dress in festival attire and carry ritual implements.
Participants were provided with photo data taken by the official photographer, as well as original T-shirts and tabi socks.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Otabisho in front of JR Akitsu Station to Soga Shrine (Mitsu, Akitsu-cho, Higashihiroshima)
- Train and bus
The procession runs from the otabisho in front of JR Akitsu Station to Soga Shrine
Address Mitsu, Akitsu-cho, Higashihiroshima
Dates and season
2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)
According to an activity report, the event was held on July 12.
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 Hiroshima Prefecture / Higashihiroshima City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
広島大学総合博物館
広島県東広島市の広島大学構内にある博物館
Origins and History of Mitsu Gion Festival
The Mitsu Gion Festival is a traditional festival dating back to the Edo period.
Today, the daimyo procession features shrine attendants, a mikoshi, performers carrying long spears, and others moving through town to the music.
The local preservation association teaches the procession’s steps and movements, and also works to train people to carry on the festival.
Mitsu Gion Festival at a Glance
The Mitsu Gion Festival is a traditional festival in Mitsu, Akitsu-cho, Higashihiroshima, dating back to the Edo period.
A daimyo procession featuring shrine attendants, a mikoshi, performers carrying long spears, and others travels about 4 kilometers from the otabisho in front of JR Akitsu Station to Soga Shrine.
In 2026, practice sessions led by the preservation association and a recruitment program for festival participants were held, and people from outside the local area joined the procession.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/12
