Nakajima Gion Festival

Festival highlights

One highlight is the variety of floats and processions, each with its own distinctive style.

The Daijayama advances through the town at night to the sound of bells and drums, breathing fire from the serpent’s mouth.

The Odoriyama features shamisen music and dancers in kimono; the lord’s procession features participants in warrior attire; and the Shishiyama features a mechanical parent-and-child lion act. Each offers a different kind of appeal.

Yanagawa’s summer Gion festival, brought to life by the Daijayama’s fire and the town’s floats

What to expect

At the festival, floats and processions from each neighborhood appear in front of the shrine, then make their way through Nakajima.

The events unfold in sequence, each with a distinct presentation: the lord’s procession, the Shishiyama, the Odoriyama, and the Daijayama.

At night, handlers set the Daijayama in motion, and its procession, accompanied by bells, drums, fire, and smoke, is one of the festival’s major highlights.

Source: 中島祇園祭り - Wikipedia

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address

Plaza in front of Yatsurugi Shrine and the area around Nishitetsu Nakashima Station (Nakajima, Yamato Town, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture)

Train and bus

About a 2-minute walk from Nakashima Station on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line.

By car

It is about 20 minutes from Miyama-Yanagawa IC on the Kyushu Expressway.

Source: 【2026】中島祇園祭り 開催情報！見どころやアクセス・駐車場情報 |

Address 839-0254 Nakajima, Yamato Town, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

The 2026 Nakajima Gion Festival was held on July 25 (Saturday) and has ended.

It is usually held on the fourth Saturday of July.

The main processions take place from evening into the night. According to the 2026 information, the night market was scheduled to open at 3 p.m., and the procession was scheduled to begin at around 6:30 p.m.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The Daijayama procession continues until late at night, so if you plan to stay until the end, you will need to consider your return transportation or accommodation in advance.

According to the 2026 event information, no additional trains were scheduled for the festival.

As this is an outdoor summer event, dress for the heat and stay hydrated. When watching the procession, which involves fire and smoke, follow the guidance provided nearby.

Nearby attractions

Nearby spots featured include Nakajima Morning Market, Kakumasa Manju, Unagi no Harada, Takao Shrine, Unryu no Sato (Unryu no Yakata), and the Benten cherry tree-lined avenue.

Other recommended spots include places to enjoy Yanagawa’s food and visit local facilities.

If you plan to visit nearby attractions during the festival, check each facility’s operating status and hours.

Origins and History of Nakajima Gion Festival

The origins of Nakajima Gion Festival are said to date back to the construction of Yatsurugi Shrine, believed to have been founded in 1843 (Tenpo 14).

It is said to have begun as a festival to pray for abundant catches from the Ariake Sea and good harvests from the reclaimed farmland.

Until 1993, it was held on day 15 of lunar month 6, but it is said to have been moved to the fourth Saturday of July thereafter.

Official information

Information on the venue and event date is available on Yanagawa City’s official tourism information website.

The phone number for the Yanagawa Tourist Information Center is also provided for inquiries.

Nakajima Gion Festival at a Glance

Nakajima Gion Festival is a summer Gion festival that has been passed down in Nakajima, Yamato Town, Yanagawa City.

The town comes alive with the fire and drums of the Daijayama, the shamisen music of the Odoriyama, a lord’s procession, and the Shishiyama with its parent-and-child lions.

In 2026, it was held on July 25, with processions from evening until late at night centered around the plaza in front of Yatsurugi Shrine and the area around Nakashima Station.