A spring festival honoring a celebrated Edo-period magistrate, with processions in period attire bringing color to the town
Ōoka Echizen Festival
The 2026 edition of Ōoka Echizen Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/04/18 〜 2026/04/19Ended
- Season / frequency
- Saturday and Sunday in mid-April every year / Every year
- Location
- Around JR Chigasaki Station and Jōkenji Temple
- Area
- Kanagawa Prefecture・Chigasaki City(From Tokyo: approx. 30 min–1 h · 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
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- The open-air tea ceremony is free.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A spring festival in Chigasaki featuring a memorial service at the grave, the Echizen Procession, and the Big Parade, held around Jōkenji Temple, associated with Ōoka Tadasuke, and Chigasaki Station.
About Ōoka Echizen Festival
The Ōoka Echizen Festival is a spring festival held mainly around Jōkenji Temple in northern Chigasaki, where the grave of the celebrated Edo-period magistrate Ōoka Echizen-no-kami Tadasuke is located, in his honor.
The program combines events honoring history, such as a memorial service at the grave and the Echizen Procession, with activities involving local residents, including a station-front concert.
Set around Jōkenji Temple and Chigasaki Station, the festival brings together the area’s history and its lively present-day atmosphere.
Source: 大岡越前祭｜茅ヶ崎観光情報サイト「ちがさきナビ」茅ヶ崎市観光協会
Festival highlights
Highlights include the Echizen Procession, with participants dressed in Edo-period attire, and the Big Parade proceeding through the area around Chigasaki Station.
Amateur bands ranging from high school students to working adults perform in front of the station, and the local festival is held around Jōkenji Temple.
Enjoy history-themed events such as nostalgic kamishibai storytelling, stage programs, and Ōoka hot pot.
A spring festival honoring a celebrated Edo-period magistrate, with processions in period attire bringing color to the town
What to expect
Enjoy the festival by visiting events at several venues.
On the first day, a station-front concert takes place at the north exit of Chigasaki Station, while the local festival and memorial service at the grave are held around Jōkenji Temple. On the second day, a parade, the Echizen Procession, and the Big Parade bring the area around the station to life.
The Chigasaki Industrial Fair is also held concurrently on both days at Daiichi Cutter Kiiro Park.
Source: 【イベント情報】第71回大岡越前祭 | 茅ヶ崎観光情報サイト「ちがさきナビ」茅ヶ崎市観光協会｜ / 第71回大岡越前祭が開催決定！！｜茅ヶ崎市
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
参加費：野だては無料。
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around JR Chigasaki Station and Jōkenji Temple, the family temple of the Ōoka family.
The station-front concert is held on the pedestrian deck at the north exit of JR Chigasaki Station, and the Industry Fair, held at the same time, takes place at Daiichi Cutter Kiiro Park (Central Park).
- Train and bus
About 60 minutes from Tokyo Station on the JR Tokaido Line and about 30 minutes from Yokohama Station.
The nearest station is JR Chigasaki Station.
- By car
About 40 minutes from Tokyo IC via the Tomei Expressway and Ken-O Expressway.
- Parking
The city lists several parking lots, including Chigasaki Parking Lot No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4.
April 19, traffic restrictions will apply on the parade route and surrounding roads for the Echizen Procession and Big Parade.
Event venue 神奈川県茅ヶ崎市 JR茅ケ崎駅周辺および浄見寺
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 festival was announced as scheduled for April 18 (Saturday) and the 19th (Sunday).
Events scheduled for the 18th include a station-front concert, the Jōkenji Local Festival, and a memorial service at the grave. On the 19th, events include a mikoshi parade, the Echizen Procession, and the Big Parade.
The Chigasaki Industrial Fair is held concurrently on both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Daiichi Cutter Kiiro Park.
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 Kanagawa Prefecture / Chigasaki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
April 19, traffic restrictions will be in effect on the parade route and surrounding roads for the Echizen Procession and Big Parade.
If traveling by car to the area around the station, be sure to check the restricted sections and times.
The events are spread across different venues, including the station-front concert, the Jōkenji Local Festival, and the Industry Fair, so check the location of the events you want to see before heading there.
Nearby attractions
神奈川県立茅ケ崎里山公園
日本の神奈川県茅ヶ崎市にある公園
鶴嶺八幡宮
神奈川県茅ヶ崎市浜之郷にある神社
Origins and History of Ōoka Echizen Festival
The Ōoka Echizen Festival began with a memorial service the following year at the grave of Ōoka Tadasuke, who was posthumously awarded the Junior Fourth Rank in 1912.
It was later suspended due to events including the Great Kantō Earthquake and war, but resumed in 1956 under the name Ōoka Echizen Festival.
Today, Tadasuke’s achievements are honored through events such as the memorial service at the grave at Jōkenji Temple and the Echizen Procession.
Official information
Event information is available on the official Chigasaki City website.
The Chigasaki Tourism Association’s event page summarizes the 2026 dates, venues, and main events.
For inquiries, contact the 71st Ōoka Echizen Festival Executive Committee Secretariat (at the Chigasaki Chamber of Commerce and Industry) at 0467-58-1111.
Ōoka Echizen Festival at a Glance
The Ōoka Echizen Festival is a spring festival in Chigasaki, set around Jōkenji Temple, where Ōoka Tadasuke’s grave is located, and the area around Chigasaki Station.
Highlights include the Echizen Procession in Edo-period attire, the Big Parade, a station-front concert, and the Jōkenji Local Festival.
In 2026, the festival was held on April 18 and the 19th, with traffic restrictions on surrounding roads on the 19th.
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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