Dance and drums parade around the port, and fireworks bloom in the summer sky over Otaru
Otaru Ushio Festival
The 2026 edition of Otaru Ushio Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/24 〜 2026/07/26Ended
- Season / frequency
- Late July / Every year
- Location
- Around Otaru Port’s No. 3 Pier
- Area
- Hokkaido・Otaru City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · flight time only)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 / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free (paid viewing areas are available for the grand fireworks display)
- Required number of participants
- 5 or more people (Ushio Nerikomi)
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A three-day festival at Otaru Port, bringing color to Otaru’s summer with dance, , and fireworks.
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Psjk2106 File:Otaru Ushio Matsuri Ushio Nerikomi Main Venue.png / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Psjk2106 File:Otaru Ushio Matsuri Main Venue.png / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.About Otaru Ushio Festival
The Otaru Ushio Festival is a local event held every summer at the port in Otaru, Hokkaido.
Through events such as Ushio Furekomi, Ushio Nerikomi, a mikoshi parade, and a grand fireworks display, it expresses Otaru’s culture, which has developed alongside the sea.
It began in 1967 and has been passed down with “ushio” (the tide) embodying the spirit of Otaru’s people, who were raised by the sea and live by the sea.
It is a festival unique to this port town, where residents and visitors enjoy Otaru’s summer together.
Source: おたる潮まつり｜イベント｜【公式】北海道の観光・旅行情報サイト HOKKAIDO LOVE! / おたる潮まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The biggest highlight is Ushio Nerikomi, held on the second day.
Dancers in colorful costumes parade through the city streets to shouts, flutes, and drums.
The final day features a mikoshi parade, and at night, grand fireworks light up the sky over Otaru Port.
Dance, music, the port scenery, and fireworks come together to shape the three-day festival.
Dance and drums parade around the port, and fireworks bloom in the summer sky over Otaru
What to expect
On the opening day, Ushio Furekomi announces the start of the festival, and events such as the offering of sacred water and a lighting ceremony are held.
On the second day, Ushio Nerikomi takes place, with dancers proceeding from Sun Mall Ichibangai to the Central Stage at the base of Otaru Port’s No. 3 Pier.
A mikoshi parade and grand fireworks display are scheduled for the final day.
Enjoy the port-town festival by following the different events each day.
Source: おたる潮まつり公式サイト / 潮ねりこみ（第60回おたる潮まつり）参加募集！ | おたる潮まつり公式サイト
How to take part
Ushio Nerikomi is the main event with participation open to the public.
In 2026, participants were being recruited primarily in groups of 5 or more; smaller groups may be combined with other organizations.
An “Tobiiri DE Odoritai” group, where you can dance without applying, was also announced, and participants may join or leave along the route freely.
You can also visit just to watch.
To take part in Ushio Nerikomi as a group, check the application guidelines and apply using the application form.
The application deadline for 2026 is June 19, and groups of 5 or more form one parade unit.
The order and times of departure are decided at the parade-unit planning meeting on June 26.
If you have difficulty using the application form, you can also contact the executive committee office.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Otaru Port’s No. 3 Pier / 4-3 Minatomachi, Otaru, Hokkaido
- Train and bus
The nearest station is JR Otaru Station.
バスは2026年の運行経路変更が案内されています。
- Parking
There is no parking.
Address 4-3 Minatomachi, Otaru, Hokkaido
Dates and season
2026 festival information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 Otaru Ushio Festival was announced as scheduled to run from July 24 (Fri) to July 26 (Sun).
The opening day features Ushio Furekomi, Saturday the 25th features Ushio Nerikomi, and Sunday the 26th features the mikoshi parade and grand fireworks display.
It is usually held on the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of July.
The exact times vary by event each 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 Hokkaido / Otaru City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As it takes place at the port in summer, you should prepare for the heat.
For the 2026 Ushio Nerikomi, mist showers were announced as planned for some areas as a measure against heatstroke.
If you plan to join the dancing, wear comfortable clothes and remember to stay hydrated.
When watching along the route, use the sidewalk; viewing from the median strip on Chuo-dori is not permitted.
Nearby attractions
Near the venue are the Otaru Canal, Otaru Canal Cruise, and Asakusabashi Garden Square.
Other listed places where you can experience the port town’s scenery and history include the Otaru City General Museum Canal Museum, Otaru Art Base, and Kita no Wall Street.
Otaru Denuki Koji and Kamaei Kamaboko Plaza are also listed as nearby places to visit.
You can explore central Otaru along with the festival.
小樽オルゴール堂
北海道小樽市にあるオルゴールショップ · Museums
写真：松岡明芳 / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
小樽市総合博物館
北海道小樽市にある博物館
写真：Twilight2640 at Japanese Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
日和山灯台
北海道小樽市にある灯台
Origins and History of Otaru Ushio Festival
The first Otaru Ushio Festival was held at Otaru Port’s Third Pier in 1967.
From the 2nd festival onward, the venue moved to Otaru Park, then returned to the Third Pier from the 15th festival in 1981.
Its predecessor was the “Minato Otaru Commerce and Tourism Festival,” which consolidated events such as the Port Festival. The current name and format emerged as part of a movement to reconsider what made the festival distinctive.
Official information
Official information is available on the official website run by the Otaru Ushio Festival Executive Committee.
It includes the 2026 festival schedule, main events, Ushio Nerikomi participation recruitment, traffic restrictions, and visitor advisories.
If you wish to participate in Ushio Nerikomi, you can check the participation guidelines and application form on the official website.
Otaru Ushio Festival at a Glance
The Otaru Ushio Festival is a three-day local event centered on Otaru Port, featuring Ushio Furekomi, Ushio Nerikomi, a mikoshi parade, and a grand fireworks display.
The 2026 festival was announced as scheduled to run from July 24 (Fri) to Sunday the 26th.
Group registration is generally required to join the dancing, but an activity that allows drop-in participation was also announced.
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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