Obama’s Montsuki Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include 4 taiko floats making their way through the neighborhood and, at night, lantern-adorned floats passing one another.

On the morning of the main festival, participants parade in formal montsuki haori and hakama attire.

The taiko floats show three different sides: moving to solemn music, parading to shangiri festival music, and lighting up the autumn night with lanterns.

Obama’s autumn festival, lit up by montsuki attire and lantern-adorned taiko floats

What to expect

On the first day, the evening festival features taiko floats parading through their respective neighborhoods. At night, lanterns are attached to the floats, which then make another circuit through the neighborhoods.

On the second day, a mikoshi procession ceremony takes place, with the mikoshi leaving Shiomatsu Shrine and traveling through the neighborhoods.

At night, the joint lantern festival brings together taiko floats from 4 districts. Events include gathering at the crossroads, moving through the neighborhood, and giving three cheers of “banzai.”

How to take part

The mikoshi procession and the parading of the taiko floats at the heart of the festival are carried out by youth groups and the respective neighborhood associations.

Visitors can enjoy watching the taiko floats moving through the neighborhoods, the rituals, and the lantern festival at night.

Source: 小浜の紋付祭り | 岩代観光協会

Location and access

Venue and address

Sorimachi, Torii-machi, Fuji-machi, and Shin-machi, Obama, Nihonmatsu City.

Shiomatsu Shrine is in the Sorimachi area of Obama.

Train and bus

From JR Nihonmatsu Station, go to the “Nihonmatsu Station Entrance” bus stop in front of the torii gate of Nihonmatsu Shrine, then take a bus bound for Obama or Obama via Ohira.

Get off at “Chuo Shinmachi” or “Obama,” then continue on foot.

By car

From Nihonmatsu IC on the Tohoku Expressway, head about 10 km east; the drive takes about 15 minutes.

Parking

Parking is available at the Iwashiro Branch Office.

The parking area is listed as having space for 100 vehicles.

Source: 小浜の紋付祭り 令和8年度塩松神社秋季例大祭(福島県)の地図・アクセス情報｜ウォーカープラス

Address Sorimachi, Torii-machi, Fuji-machi, and Shin-machi, Obama, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026年の開催案内（掲載日程は終了しています）

2026年は10月10日（土）と11日（日）の2日間に開催される予定として案内されていました。

The evening festival is held on the 10th, with taiko floats parading from 2 p.m. and nighttime parades in each neighborhood from 7 p.m.

The mikoshi procession ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on the 11th, followed by the joint lantern festival at 7:15 p.m.

The procession in formal montsuki haori and hakama attire takes place on the morning of the 11th.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The venue extends across several neighborhoods in the Obama district, so it is a good idea to allow plenty of time to move between locations for the events you want to see.

At night, lantern-adorned taiko floats move through the neighborhoods, so please watch from a place that does not obstruct pedestrian traffic or the procession.

There are also food stalls; please check the information provided on the day for prices and operating details.

Nearby attractions

Nearby attractions in Obama include the cherry blossoms at Obama Castle Ruins and Mannin Komori Jizōson.

The cherry blossoms at Obama Castle Ruins are in the Shimodate area of Obama, Nihonmatsu City. The site is said to have been a temporary residence of Date Masamune.

Mannin Komori Jizōson is in Sorimachi, Obama, Nihonmatsu City, and is described as a temple with a history of more than 600 years.

Source: 観光情報 | いわしろ夢現塾

Castles and historic sitesNihonmatsu City

二本松城

福島県の城

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Temples and shrinesNihonmatsu City

Nihonmatsu Shrine

福島県二本松市本町にある神社

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写真：Suikotei / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Tourist attractionsNihonmatsu City

東北サファリパーク

福島県二本松市の動物園

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写真：Akikotohokusafari / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Obama’s Montsuki Festival

Obama’s Montsuki Festival began during the Edo period, when Shiomatsu Shrine was under the domain’s control, against the backdrop of the village’s recovery after the Tenmei famine.

It is said to have originated when villagers presented money to their lord, the Niwa clan, and received permission to use the family crest and hold a mikoshi procession.

The festival has continued since 1789, the first year of the Kansei era, and formal montsuki haori and hakama attire became customary from the Meiji period onward.

Source: 小浜の紋付祭り | 二本松市観光連盟 / 【現場支援 #7 小浜の紋付祭り】実施のお知らせ｜まつり探検の羅針盤｜まつりと

Official information

Obama’s Montsuki Festival is listed as a festival in Nihonmatsu City on the “Festivals” page of the official Nihonmatsu City website.

Festival information and contact details can also be found in the information provided by the Nihonmatsu City Tourism Federation.

Source: お祭り | 観光 | 二本松市公式ウェブサイト

Obama’s Montsuki Festival at a Glance

Obama’s Montsuki Festival is the Shiomatsu Shrine Grand Festival in Obama, Nihonmatsu City.

Taiko floats from 4 districts parade through the neighborhood. Highlights vary by time of day and include formal montsuki haori and hakama attire during the main festival, the mikoshi procession, and the lantern festival at night.

In 2026, it will be held on October 10 and the 11th. The venues are the districts of Sorimachi, Torii-machi, Fuji-machi, and Shin-machi in Obama.

Source: 小浜の紋付祭り 令和8年度塩松神社秋季例大祭（福島県）の観光イベント情報｜ゆこゆこ