A cheerful festival of legends in Hidaka River, led by calls of “Laugh, laugh!” and the ringing of bells
Niu Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year on the Sunday before “Sports Day” in October / Every year
- Location
- Niu Shrine
- Area
- Wakayama Prefecture・Hidaka River Town(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 30 min–4 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.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/23
The Niu Festival is the “Laughter Festival” passed down at Niu Shrine in Hidaka River Town. This event, featuring the Meeting of the Demons, , and the bell-ringer, is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the prefecture.
About Niu Festival
The Niu Festival is held at Niu Shrine in Egawa, Hidaka River Town, and is also called the “Laughter Festival.” It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the prefecture.
This unusual festival, held in Kannazuki, is associated with a story that villagers cheered up their ujigami, who had been late to a gathering of the gods, by laughing.
Passed down since the Edo period, this event carries the history of Niu Shrine and the local community into the present.
Source: 丹生神社と笑い祭 | 日高川町観光協会 / まつり｜日高川町
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the “bell-ringer,” a forerunner in comical costume and makeup, parading through the streets calling “Laugh, laugh!”
The “Meeting of the Demons” begins near the , followed by the shishimai and the appearance of the bell-ringer.
The procession’s humor and cheerfulness create the distinctive atmosphere of Niu Shrine’s Laughter Festival.
Source: 丹生祭（笑い祭）｜祭り・イベント｜和歌山県公式観光サイト
A cheerful festival of legends in Hidaka River, led by calls of “Laugh, laugh!” and the ringing of bells
What to expect
The festival begins near the otabisho with the “Meeting of the Demons,” then moves on to the shishimai and the bell-ringer.
After parading through town calling “Laugh, laugh!”, the bell-ringer guides the to Niu Shrine.
The Meeting of the Demons is listed at around 9 a.m., the shishimai at around 10:40 a.m., and the bell-ringer’s appearance at around 11 a.m.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Niu Shrine, 1956 Egawa, Hidaka River Town
- Train and bus
Change to a local train at JR Gobo Station and get off at Wasa Station
- By car
5 minutes by taxi from Wasa Station
Address 1956 Egawa, Hidaka River Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
Every year on the Sunday before “Sports Day” in October
- Frequency
Every 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 Wakayama Prefecture / Hidaka River Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions around Niu Shrine listed include Kawabe Astronomy Park, Kawabe Tennis Park, Mount Mikuni, Mount Mazuma, and Dojoji Temple.
Other places also mentioned include Michi-no-Eki SanPin Nakatsu, Kaeru Bridge, Terauchi Town, GT HOUSE, and Narutaki Bungalow / Narutaki Auto Camping Ground.
The names of nearby facilities that can be considered alongside the festival are available for confirmation.
Origins and History of Niu Festival
The Laughter Festival of the Niu Festival has been passed down at Niu Shrine since the Edo period.
It is said that, following the Shrine Merger Order of Meiji 39, the shrines in Wasa, Egawa, Yamano, and Matsuse in Niu Village were consolidated as Niu Shrine in Meiji 42.
A story is also passed down that, in the age of the gods, villagers comforted Princess Niutsu by calling “Laugh, laugh!”
Official information
The official Hidaka River Town information presents the Laughter Festival as the Niu Festival and lists its designation as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the prefecture, its timing, and its venue.
The Hidaka River Town Tourism Association’s information describes the origin story, the times of the events, and how the bell-ringer guides the mikoshi.
Niu Festival at a Glance
The Niu Festival is the “Laughter Festival” passed down at Niu Shrine in Egawa, Hidaka River Town.
The events proceed from the Meeting of the Demons to the shishimai and the bell-ringer, whose forerunner in comical costume and makeup leads the mikoshi to Niu Shrine.
Designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the prefecture and passed down since the Edo period, it is held each year on the Sunday before “Sports Day” in October.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/23
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