A Yosakoi festival bringing color to a day in Azai with the sound of naruko hand clappers and dance
Nagahama Azai Appare Festival
The 2026 edition of Nagahama Azai Appare Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/09/05Ended
- Season / frequency
- The first Saturday of September every year / Every year
- Location
- Azai Bunka Sports Park
- Area
- Shiga Prefecture・Nagahama City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 20 min–3 h · 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
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Nagahama Azai Appare Festival is a festival in Nagahama City where dancers perform at Azai Bunka Sports Park. Surrounded by the sound of naruko hand clappers and the energy of the local community, you can enjoy the dancing, stage events, and finale.
About Nagahama Azai Appare Festival
The Nagahama Azai Appare Festival is a Yosakoi-style dance festival held at Azai Bunka Sports Park in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture.
The sound of naruko hand clappers and the dancers’ performances take center stage, bringing local residents and participating teams together at one venue.
It is described as an event held on the first Saturday of September every year.
Source: 長浜あざいあっぱれ祭り - Wikipedia / あっぱれ祭り | 長浜あざいあっぱれ祭り | Japan, 滋賀県長浜市
Festival highlights
One highlight is the energetic performances by multiple Yosakoi teams.
In 2026, Azai Bunka Sports Park will host a full day of dancing and stage events.
Fireworks are also mentioned for the evening finale, making it possible to enjoy the dancing, music, and lively atmosphere at the venue in one continuous program.
A Yosakoi festival bringing color to a day in Azai with the sound of naruko hand clappers and dance
What to expect
At the venue, you can enjoy stage events and activities related to the local community while watching performances by the participating Yosakoi teams.
Team entries for 2026 are being accepted, offering a way to take part as a dancer.
For spectators, the festival is a chance to experience the day’s program at the venue, from daytime performances to the evening finale.
How to take part
To participate as a dancer, you apply by entering as a team.
For 2026, applications for performing teams are listed as opening on March 1.
The event information available does not confirm whether general visitors can join the dancing individually or participate on the day, so if you wish to take part as a team, check the application requirements.
For 2026, teams can apply to perform through the team entry information on the festival’s official website.
The registration opening date is listed as March 1.
Check the entry page for details such as participation requirements, the application deadline, and required documents.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Azai Bunka Sports Park (15 Ōyorichō, Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture).
- Train and bus
A special shuttle bus runs from JR Nagahama Station to the venue, and the journey is listed as taking about 30 minutes.
The boarding point is the west exit of Nagahama Station.
- By car
A route from Nagahama IC to the venue is listed.
The journey usually takes about 10 minutes, but congestion is expected on the day of the festival.
- Parking
For 2026, visitors are directed to use the shuttle bus from the temporary parking lots at the Nagahama City Hall Azai Branch and in front of Azai Bunka Hall.
Source: 長浜あざいあっぱれ祭り花火打ち上げ(滋賀県長浜市) | 空花火2026
Address 15 Ōyorichō, Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 festival information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival will be held on September 5 (Saturday), with the following day, September 6 (Sunday), listed as the rain-date.
The listed hours are 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., although some pages on the official website still show the hours as undecided.
Before you visit, check whether the event is going ahead that day and whether the hours have changed.
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 Shiga Prefecture / Nagahama City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Roads around the venue get congested in the evening. If you plan to stay for the fireworks, it is safer to use the shuttle bus from a designated temporary parking lot rather than drive directly to the venue.
If traveling by train, allow for crowds on the shuttle buses after the fireworks and on your way home, and check the last bus and train times well in advance.
The festival may be postponed to the following day in case of rain, so check its status before setting out.
Nearby attractions
ヤンマーミュージアム
滋賀県長浜市にある博物館
国友鉄砲ミュージアム
滋賀県長浜市にある博物館
小谷城戦国歴史資料館
滋賀県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
都久夫須麻神社
滋賀県長浜市の竹生島にある神社
長浜八幡宮
滋賀県長浜市にある神社
長浜城歴史博物館
滋賀県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
長浜鉄道スクエア
滋賀県長浜市にある鉄道保存展示施設
黒壁ガラス館
滋賀県長浜市にあるアートギャラリー
Origins and History of Nagahama Azai Appare Festival
The festival began in 2000 in Azai Town, Higashiazai District.
After Azai Town merged with Nagahama City on February 13, 2006, the 2006 festival was held at Kanzaki Sports Park and Azai Bunka Sports Park.
That year, the number of participating teams exceeded 30, helping the festival continue in what is now Nagahama City.
Official information
For official information, visit the Nagahama Azai Appare Festival official website.
Information is available about the 2026 festival date, venue, theme, and calls for participating teams.
Nagahama Azai Appare Festival at a Glance
The Nagahama Azai Appare Festival is a local festival centered on Yosakoi performances, held at Azai Bunka Sports Park in Nagahama City.
In 2026, the festival will be held on September 5 (Saturday), with the following day reserved as a rain-date.
Dancers can participate by entering as a team, and spectators can enjoy the performances through to the finale.
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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