Ojima’s summer illuminated by a 7-meter fan-shaped neputa and drums
Ojima Neputa
The 2026 edition of Ojima Neputa has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/14 〜 2026/08/15Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year on August 14 and the 15th / Every year
- Location
- Ojima Shopping Street Main Road (Prefectural Route 142) and surrounding area
- Area
- Gunma Prefecture・Ota City(From Tokyo: approx. 50 min–1 h · 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A summer festival held on the shopping streets of Ojima, Ota City, featuring fan-shaped neputa and a procession of drums in a style modeled on Hirosaki Neputa. Enjoy neputa culture deeply rooted in the community, accompanied by shouts and a grand performance.
About Ojima Neputa
Ojima Neputa is a summer festival held every year in the Ojima area of Ota City, Gunma Prefecture.
In a style modeled on Hirosaki Neputa, fan-shaped neputa and a procession of drums make their way along the shopping street.
With shouts of “Yā-yadō,” it is cherished as a traditional event that brings color to summer nights in the community.
Against the backdrop of historical ties with Hirosaki City, neputa culture has been passed down in Ojima.
Source: 尾島ねぷた - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
Highlights include a large fan-shaped neputa reaching 7 meters in height and a procession of neputa drums.
More than a dozen neputa parade through the venue to the shouts of “Yā-yadō,” while Ota City’s 3-meter-diameter ten-shaku drum adds to the powerful sound.
Toward the end, a “grand performance of neputa ” is also held, featuring more than 300 performers.
Another distinctive feature is that it is described as a format not found in Hirosaki Neputa.
Ojima’s summer illuminated by a 7-meter fan-shaped neputa and drums
What to expect
According to the 2026 announcement, the program offered the Tsugaru Products Market, an opening ceremony, the neputa parade, and a grand performance, in that order.
During the neputa parade, fan-shaped neputa and other floats travel around Ojima Shopping Street to shouts and the sound of drums.
At the end of each day, participating groups gather to perform neputa hayashi.
The parade and grand performance start at different times on each day, so plan your arrival around the part you want to see.
Source: 【群馬県太田市】尾島ねぷたまつり。今年は「史上最熱」へ！8/14・8/15開催！ | 群馬県太田市のプレスリリース
How to take part
参加費：無料
Location and access
- Venue and address
Ojima Shopping Street Main Road (Prefectural Route 142) and surrounding area, Ojimacho, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture.
- Train and bus
The nearest station is Kizaki Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line.
For 2026, a shuttle bus from Kizaki Station is planned, and the venue is said to be about 5 minutes away.
- By car
It is 14 km, about 30 minutes, from the Isesaki IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway via National Route 17.
Traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue during the festival.
- Parking
Designated parking lots were available at various locations around the venue.
As crowds are expected, visitors are also advised to use public transportation.
Source: 尾島ねぷたまつり（群馬県）の観光イベント情報｜ゆこゆこ
Address Ojimacho, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event was scheduled for August 14 (Friday) and the 15th (Saturday).
The Tsugaru Products Market runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on both days. The neputa parade starts at 6:30 p.m. on the 14th and 6:15 p.m. on the 15th.
On the 14th, an opening ceremony was scheduled for 6 p.m., followed by the parade and a grand performance on both days.
The event is announced as canceled in severe weather.
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 Gunma Prefecture / Ota City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Traffic restrictions are put in place around the venue to accommodate the neputa parade.
Designated parking areas may be crowded, so if you are driving, check the parking locations and traffic restrictions in advance.
The event is announced as canceled in severe weather.
As this is an outdoor event at night, with set times for the parade and grand performance, it’s best to arrive with time to spare so you don’t miss the moments you want to see.
Source: 尾島ねぷたまつり2026｜駐車場 · Traffic restrictions · 開催時間 | 太田パパママ通信
Nearby attractions
ぐんまこどもの国
群馬県太田市にある公園
三日月村
群馬県太田市にある歴史のテーマパーク
世良田東照宮
群馬県太田市にある神社
冠稲荷神社
群馬県太田市細谷町にある神社
写真：photo: Qurren ( talk ) Taken with Canon PowerShot G9 X / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source ·
新田金山城
群馬県太田市にあった城
Origins and History of Ojima Neputa
Ojima Neputa began against the backdrop of historical ties between the Ojima area and Hirosaki City.
Exchanges between the two areas began in 1985, and Ojima Town and Hirosaki City signed a friendship city agreement in 1991.
Neputa floats began to be pulled through the streets as part of the Ojima Festival in 1986. Following technical training in 1991, the Ojima Neputa Taiko Association was formed in 1992.
The foundations that underpin today’s drum performances were established during this period.
Official information
Information about the Ojima Neputa Festival is available on Ota City’s Ota Tourism website.
The event dates for 2026, activities at the venue, and contact details can be confirmed in the event announcement issued by Ota City.
For inquiries, contact the Ojima Neputa Festival Executive Committee (Tourism Promotion Division, Ota City Hall).
Ojima Neputa at a Glance
Ojima Neputa is a summer festival rooted in Hirosaki Neputa and passed down in the Ojima area of Ota City.
Its main highlights are fan-shaped neputa about 7 meters tall, shouts, a procession of drums, and a grand performance by more than 300 people.
The 2026 event was scheduled for August 14 and the 15th, at Ojima Shopping Street Main Road and the surrounding area.
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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