A summer festival of dashi and Gion hayashi, carrying on Kitamaebune culture
Noheji Gion Festival
The 2026 edition of Noheji Gion Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/20 〜 2026/08/23Ended
- Location
- Noheji Town and Noheji Port
- Area
- Aomori Prefecture・Noheji Town(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h–3 h 30 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
- Last updated
- 2026/11/12
A traditional festival in Noheji Town that carries on the Kyoto culture brought by Kitamaebune ships. Gion , lavish , a maritime , and more take place over 4 days.
About Noheji Gion Festival
The Noheji Gion Festival is a traditional festival that brings color to summer in Noheji Town.
In the days when Kitamaebune ships frequently sailed in and out of Noheji Port, culture and customs arrived from Kamigata along with goods, and the Gion Festival took root as one of them.
The hayashi melodies resemble those of Kyoto’s Gion Festival against the backdrop of these exchanges.
The festival runs for 4 days, featuring Shime-age, dashi processions, a maritime togyo, and a joint dashi procession.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the lavish dashi parading through town to the sound of Gion hayashi.
The dashi feature themes from kabuki and Chinese legends, while elegant hayashi played by children dressed in colorful outfits brings the procession to life.
On the festival’s 3rd day, there is a maritime togyo, and on the final day, the dashi take part in a joint procession. Different scenes unfold around town and at Noheji Port.
A summer festival of dashi and Gion hayashi, carrying on Kitamaebune culture
What to expect
The festival takes place over 4 days.
On the first day, “Shime-age” is held, during which a large is offered to Hachimangu. On the 2nd day, the children’s Gion hayashi and dashi procession through town follow.
The maritime togyo takes place at Noheji Port on the 3rd day, and the festival concludes with a joint dashi procession on the 4th and final day.
The program changes each day, from the offering to hayashi and dashi, the maritime togyo, and the joint procession.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Noheji town and Noheji Port, Noheji, Noheji Town, Kamikita District, Aomori Prefecture
- Train and bus
About a 25-minute walk from Noheji Station on the JR and Aoimori Railway lines
- By car
About 60 minutes from the Higashi-Aomori IC on the Aomori Expressway / About 5 minutes from Noheji Station on the JR and Aoimori Railway lines
- Parking
Not stated
Address Noheji town and Noheji Port, Noheji, Noheji Town, Kamikita District, Aomori Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 festival information (the listed dates have passed)
The festival period is listed as August 20, 2026 (Thu) through the 23rd.
The 4-day program begins with “Shime-age” on the first day, followed by a dashi procession through town on the 2nd day, a maritime togyo on the 3rd day, and a joint dashi procession on the final day.
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 Aomori Prefecture / Noheji Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
There may be road traffic restrictions in parts of town.
Nearby attractions
Near the festival are the former Nomurake residence annex “Angesho,” the Noheji Town Museum of History and Folklore, and Atago Park.
All are introduced as nearby attractions on the festival information page.
Origins and History of Noheji Gion Festival
In the days when Kitamaebune ships frequently sailed in and out of Noheji Port, culture and customs came from Kamigata along with goods.
The Gion Festival was also brought here as part of that exchange, and its hayashi melodies have similarities to those of Kyoto’s Gion Festival.
The festival’s origins are explained in the context of cultural exchange via Kitamaebune ships.
Official information
野辺地町サイト：Noheji Town website
Noheji Gion Festival at a Glance
The Noheji Gion Festival is a 4-day traditional festival passed down in Noheji Town, shaped by Kyoto culture brought here by Kitamaebune ships.
The main highlights are the children’s Gion hayashi, dashi featuring themes from kabuki and Chinese legends, the maritime togyo, and the joint dashi procession.
The 2026 festival period is listed as running from August 20 through the 23rd.
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
