Saijo Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include processions of danjiri and mikoshi decorated with carvings and ornaments, accompanied by lively performances to the beat of drums and gongs.

At the Isonokami Shrine festival, the early-morning departure from the shrine, the Goten-mae event at the former site of the Saijo Domain residence, and the Kawairi at the Kamo River in the evening are especially well known.

The sight of lantern-lit dashi lined along the river as they see off the mikoshi procession is also memorable.

Source: 【2026】西条まつり｜愛媛のイベントを探す｜愛媛県の公式観光サイト【いよ観ネット】

A festival of mikoshi and dashi through Saijo City’s autumn streets, aglow with lanterns and filled with the beat of drums

What to expect

Religious rites are held at each shrine for its festival, while dashi travel through parishioner neighborhoods and make offerings along the way.

At the Isonokami Shrine festival, dashi gather for the departure from the shrine from late at night through early morning, and perform lively displays at locations such as the otabisho and Goten-mae.

On the final day, the mikoshi processes through the city and reaches the Kawairi event at the Kamo River in the evening. The formal festival rites conclude when it returns to the shrine.

How to take part

The Saijo Festival is a local event comprising the four annual festivals of Kamo Shrine, Ishioka Shrine, Isonokami Shrine, and Iizumi Shrine.

Parishioners from neighborhoods throughout the city offer danjiri, mikoshi, and taikodai, and many residents take part in the festival.

General visitors can enjoy watching the processions, offerings, and Kawairi in each district, but requirements for participating, such as helping carry a dashi, vary by festival.

The dashi offerings at the heart of the festival are organized by parishioner neighborhoods in each district of the city.

If you plan to watch, check the festival dates at each shrine and the areas where the dashi will travel. Watch from a place where you will not obstruct the processions or offerings.

Location and access

Venue and address

Throughout Saijo City (Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture).

Depending on the festival, events take place around Kamo Shrine, Ishioka Shrine, Isonokami Shrine, Iizumi Shrine, and other locations.

Train and bus

Each venue is about 5–20 minutes by car from JR Iyo-Saijo Station.

By car

Each venue is about 5–20 minutes by car from the Iyo-Saijo IC.

Parking

A temporary parking lot is provided under the Kamo River Bridge on October 16. It is listed as having space for approximately 1,500 vehicles, with free parking.

Address Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the schedule listed the Kamo Shrine Festival for October 10 and the 11th, the Ishioka Shrine Festival for October 14 and the 15th, the Isonojinja Shrine Festival for October 15 and the 16th, and the Iizumi Shrine Festival for October 16 and the 17th.

As the four festivals take place in succession and overlap, the yatai and events you can see vary by district.

At dusk on the 16th, the Isonojinja Shrine Festival features a river entry at the Kamo River.

Source: 「西条まつり」 よくある質問（FAQ） - 愛媛県西条市ホームページ

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

There are no spectator stands, and reserving a spot in advance is not permitted.

Crowds are expected at busy locations such as the otabisho and the Kawairi venue, so follow local guidance and avoid obstructing the dashi processions or religious rites.

Many restaurants in the city also close during the festival, so it is a good idea to arrange meals in advance.

Temporary toilets are also provided.

Nearby attractions

The festival takes place throughout Saijo City. Nearby attractions listed in local tourism information include Mount Ishizuchi and the Besshi Copper Mine.

You can plan an itinerary that combines festival viewing with visits to mountains and industrial heritage sites in the Saijo City area.

Check the opening status and travel times for each location individually before your visit.

Museums and art museumsSaijo City

四国鉄道文化館

愛媛県西条市にある鉄道博物館

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写真：Yasu ( talk ) / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Temples and shrinesSaijo City

石鎚神社

愛媛県西条市にある神社

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写真：Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Saijo Festival

The Saijo Festival is said to date back to the Edo period. It is believed to have become a large-scale festival in which parishioners offer dashi during the mid-Edo period.

Records from 1750 in the Saijo City area mention dashi stewards at festivals held at Isonokami Shrine and in Himi.

There are several theories about the origins of the dashi. Few old documents survive, so aspects of how they developed remain unclear.

Source: 西条祭り - Wikipedia

Official information

Information on the 2026 festival schedule, dashi routes, traffic restrictions, and festival overview is available on Saijo City’s official website.

You can also check Saijo City’s FAQs for information on highlights at each venue, transportation, and temporary parking.

Saijo Festival at a Glance

The Saijo Festival is a local autumn event centered on the annual festivals of four shrines, with danjiri, mikoshi, and taikodai processing through Saijo City.

In 2026, the festivals continue from October 10 through the 17th. You can see moments that bring religious rites together with dashi offerings, such as the Kawairi at the Isonokami Shrine festival.

Enjoy the festival atmosphere, with lantern-lit dashi and the sounds of drums and gongs filling the town.