Onohara Hachiman Shrine Autumn Grand Festival

Festival highlights

The biggest highlight is kakikurabe, held on the third day of the festival.

At Onohara Central Park, the taikodai are lifted overhead, while at Hiratsuka, offerings of the Ichiban danjiri and Ichiban taiko are made.

The sight of the chosa, some weighing about 3 tons, moving up and down is thrilling, and the taikodai are illuminated at night.

Source: 市内のちょうさ祭開催日程(令和8年) - 観音寺市

Onohara’s autumn festival, adorned with red-and-white dragonfly ornaments and chosa

What to expect

On the first day, there are shrine visits and kagura performances. On the second day, events include sumo matches for child wrestlers, the gathering of taikodai and danjiri from each district, and lifting the floats overhead.

On the main festival day, the mikoshi sets out after the ritual, followed by the Owatari-sho Festival, kakikurabe, the mikoshi procession, the Angu Festival, and the return procession ceremony.

The festival concludes with the mikoshi entering Onohara Hachiman Shrine.

How to take part

You can watch the chosa processions and festival events centered around Onohara Hachiman Shrine.

Crowds are expected during the festival, so public transportation is recommended.

Location and access

Venue and address

Onohara Hachiman Shrine (1913 Onohara, Onohara-cho, Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture).

The festival is centered around Onohara Hachiman Shrine.

Train and bus

About 5 minutes by taxi from JR Toyohama Station (about 2.4 km).

By car

About 4 minutes by car from the Onohara IC on the Takamatsu Expressway (about 1.4 km), and about 12 minutes from central Kanonji City (about 5.5 km).

Parking

Parking is available.

Crowds are expected during the autumn festival, so visitors are advised to use public transportation.

Address 1913 Onohara, Onohara-cho, Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 festival information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the autumn festival at Onohara Hachiman Shrine is scheduled to run from October 16 through the 18th.

In a typical year, it is held over 3 days—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—including the 3rd Sunday of October. On the first and second days, the chosa parade through the town.

On the third day, the highlight is kakikurabe, when the chosa are thrust up and down.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Crowds may be expected during the autumn festival, so it is a good idea to allow plenty of time for travel.

Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation. If traveling by car, please also pay attention to conditions in the surrounding area.

Avoid parking without permission on private property or parking on the street, and use the designated parking areas.

Event times vary, so if there is a particular event you want to see, you should also keep track of the day’s schedule.

Official information

The schedule is listed in Kanonji City’s “Schedule of Chosa Festivals in the City (Reiwa 8).”

For details on the festival venue, events, and access, see the Kanonji City Tourism Association’s “Onohara Festival | Onohara Hachiman Shrine Autumn Grand Festival.”

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Onohara Hachiman Shrine Autumn Grand Festival at a Glance

The Onohara Hachiman Shrine Autumn Grand Festival is a 3-day autumn festival during which chosa and danjiri topped with red-and-white dragonfly ornaments parade through Onohara-cho.

In addition to the rituals and mikoshi procession, a major highlight is kakikurabe, when chosa weighing about 3 tons are lifted overhead.

The 2026 festival was listed as scheduled to run from October 16 through the 18th.

Crowds are expected around the venue.