Owari Yokosuka Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the donten, in which a dashi changes direction at an intersection.

During the grand donten on the main festival day, after a karakuri puppet performance and festival music are dedicated, the dashi make 2 to 3 turns at a narrow intersection.

During the night festival, dashi decorated with lanterns parade through the town, and the Yoï Donten is also performed near the end.

You can also watch the distinctive movements of the karakuri puppets on each dashi.

Source: 尾張横須賀まつり|祭りの見所

Yokosuka’s traditional grand donten, with magnificent dashi turning at street corners

What to expect

During Shigaku, dashi parade through each neighborhood, and a young performers’ festival music contest is held in front of Yokosuka Community Center.

On the morning of Hongaku, the dashi are lined up in front of the shrine. After Shinto rites and a karakuri puppet performance are dedicated, they set out on a parade through the neighborhood.

Toward the end of the parade, the grand donten is performed. At night, dashi decorated with lanterns set out from the shrine once more for each neighborhood.

Over the two days, you can enjoy the different appearance of the dashi by day and at night.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address

Atago Shrine, Yokosuka Town, Tokai City (23-1 Shinowari, Yokosuka-cho, Tokai City, Aichi 477-0036).

Train and bus

Take the Meitetsu Tokoname Line to Owari Yokosuka Station, then walk about 5 minutes to Atago Shrine.

By car

It takes about 15 minutes from Obu-Tokai IC on the Chita Peninsula Road, or about 5 minutes from Yokosuka IC on the Nishi-Chita Industrial Road.

Parking

Temporary parking is available at locations such as the Motohama Park parking lot.

Parking near the venue is limited, and parking is prohibited around Yokosuka Town.

Traffic restrictions may be imposed during dashi operations.

Address 23-1 Shinowari, Yokosuka-cho, Tokai City, Aichi 477-0036

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Dates and season

2026 festival information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the festival was held on September 26 (Saturday) and the 27th (Sunday). September 26 was Shigaku, and the 27th was Hongaku.

Shigaku centers on dashi parades through the neighborhoods and a festival music contest; Hongaku centers on Shinto rites, dashi parades, the grand donten, and the night festival.

The 2026 festival information has ended; the schedule was listed through September 27.

It is usually held on the fourth Sunday of September and the preceding day.

Source: 尾張横須賀まつり|公式サイト

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Tips for your visit

Traffic restrictions may be imposed around Yokosuka-cho as the dashi proceed through the streets.

Parking near the venue is limited, and parking is prohibited around Yokosuka-cho, so visitors are advised to come by train.

Highlights of the night festival include dashi processions through narrow streets; please be mindful of your surroundings and avoid obstructing traffic while watching.

The 2026 festival has ended.

Origins and History of Owari Yokosuka Festival

The festival is said to date back at least to the Kyoho era of the Edo period, while dashi parades are said to have begun in the Kansei era.

The festival’s origins are uncertain, and historical sources have raised questions about the story that it was held to console Lord Tokugawa Mitsutomo during his travels.

The festival dates shifted from day 24 of lunar month 8 day 24 of lunar month 8 to September 28 on the Gregorian calendar, and from around the 30s of the Showa era onward, the festival has been held on the fourth Sunday of September.

The dashi have been passed down since the late Edo period.

Official information

Official information is available on the Owari Yokosuka Festival website.

It includes the 2026 dashi schedule, access information, and updates about the festival.

The phone number 0562-32-2557 is also listed for contacting the preservation association.

Owari Yokosuka Festival at a Glance

The Owari Yokosuka Festival is a traditional event in which dashi parade through Yokosuka Town as part of Atago Shrine’s annual festival.

Alongside magnificent dashi, karakuri puppets, and festival music, the donten—a dashi turning at an intersection—is performed.

The highlights are the grand donten on the main festival day and the night festival, when lanterns illuminate the dashi.

In 2026, it was held on September 26 and the 27th.