A spring grand festival enlivening the streets of Sanjo with a mikoshi and daimyo procession
Sanjo Matsuri
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year, May 14–15 / Every year
- Location
- Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine, the city center, the area around Honcho-dori, and Suwa Shrine in Tajima
- Area
- Niigata Prefecture・Sanjo City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h 10 min · bullet 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Sanjo Matsuri, carried on as the spring grand festival of Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine. The daimyo procession accompanying the procession travels through the city, creating a traditional scene with kasaboko, tengu, and mikoshi. In the evening, Mai-komi is also held to pray for children’s healthy growth and freedom from illness and misfortune.
About Sanjo Matsuri
Sanjo Matsuri is held every year on May 15 as the spring grand festival of Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine.
The daimyo procession accompanying the mikoshi procession is known as an event that carries on the tradition of a 100,000-koku domain, and is also designated as a cultural property of Sanjo City.
The eve festival is held on May 14, the day before, with lining the area around Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine, the festival’s center.
A traditional event representative of Sanjo, bringing together local shrine rituals and a procession through the city.
Source: 三条祭り
Festival highlights
The biggest highlight is the daimyo procession traveling through the city from Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine.
The procession includes the sakitomo, kasaboko, tengu, falconers, and mikoshi. The sakitomo also demonstrate techniques such as raising a pole high and throwing it toward the other party.
The tengu walk wearing tall geta with a single tooth. Near the end of the procession, a scuffle breaks out as the mikoshi and drums are returned to the .
The Kasaboko contest also features satirical figures made using everyday items and other materials.
Source: 三条まつり - Wikipedia
A spring grand festival enlivening the streets of Sanjo with a mikoshi and daimyo procession
What to expect
The festival begins with the eve festival on May 14. On the following 15th, the Kasaboko contest and Tengu-sama ritual are held in the morning.
In the afternoon, the mikoshi and daimyo procession depart from Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine and travel through the city to Suwa Shrine in Tajima.
In the evening, when the tengu and mikoshi return to Hachimangu Shrine, Mai-komi takes place, with parents carrying their children on their shoulders as they make 3 circuits of the .
The festival concludes with the mikoshi and taiko drums being returned to the worship hall.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue
Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine, the city center, the area around Honcho-dori, and Suwa Shrine in Tajima
Event venue 新潟県三条市 三条八幡宮
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
The 2026 schedule was announced as running from May 14 through the 15th.
The eve festival was held on May 14, and the daimyo procession and Mai-komi took place on May 15.
The daimyo procession is scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m., and Mai-komi at 5 p.m.
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 Niigata Prefecture / Sanjo City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
On the day of the daimyo procession, traffic restrictions are in place mainly on Honcho Street in the city center.
The area around the venue is prone to congestion. If you are coming by car, please avoid parking on the street or in nearby parking lots other than the temporary parking lots.
Looking down on the procession is considered inappropriate, and viewing it from Shoei Ohashi Bridge is prohibited.
Please follow staff instructions along the route so you do not obstruct the progress of the tengu or mikoshi.
Nearby attractions
Around the festival venue are Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine, Shinmeigu Shrine, the Sanjo Blacksmith Dojo, the Sanjo City Museum of History, Folklore and Industry, and other sites.
The daimyo procession route also includes Shinmeigu Shrine and Ichinokido Shopping Street.
Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine is the festival’s central shrine, while Shinmeigu Shrine is located along the procession route.
When visiting, give priority to the procession and the progress of shrine rituals, and follow the guidance of nearby facilities.
三条市歴史民俗産業資料館
新潟県三条市の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：photo: Qurren ( talk ) Taken with Canon PowerShot G9 X / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source ·Official information
The official website, run by the Sanjo Matsuri Wakashukai, provides information about the festival, highlights, the organizing group, Q&A, access, and announcements.
The 2026 announcements also include introductions to roles in the daimyo procession and information about a real-time digital map.
Sanjo Matsuri at a Glance
Sanjo Matsuri is a traditional event in Sanjo City that combines the spring grand festival of Sanjo Hachimangu Shrine with a mikoshi procession and a daimyo procession.
Highlights include a procession featuring kasaboko, tengu, falconers, and mikoshi, as well as Mai-komi in the evening.
For 2026, the eve festival on May 14 and the daimyo procession and Mai-komi on the 15th were announced.
As the procession passes through the city, it is important to observe traffic restrictions and follow guidance on where to watch.
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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