Sendai Ōtsunahiki

Festival highlights

Highlights include Tsunaneri, in which residents and organizations work together from morning to make one giant rope, and the fierce contest at night.

The teams are divided into Kamikata and Shimokata. At the taiko team's signal, the pulling team hauls on the rope while the pushing team attempts to force it into the opposing side's territory.

Finally, the center of the rope is cut, and the winner is determined by which side's territory the cut point falls in.

Source: 2026 川内大綱引 | イベント | 【公式】鹿児島県観光サイト かごしまの旅

A traditional event in Satsumasendai where the community pulls against each other with a 365-meter-long giant rope

What to expect

From early morning on the day of the event, ropes are laid out on the road and twisted together to form three ropes, which are then worked into one giant rope.

In the evening, the giant rope is moved to the venue, and the ritual and Dan-gi Festival are held from 7 p.m.

The main event begins with the rope being divided at around 8:15 p.m. About 90 minutes later, the rope is cut and the result is determined. After cleanup, traffic restrictions are scheduled to end at 11 p.m.

How to take part

Participants in Tsunaneri, the rope-making process, include members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces' Sendai Garrison, the construction industry association, local high school and junior high school students, and members of the public.

The main tug-of-war, meanwhile, is held between opposing teams divided into Kamikata and Shimokata, with roles including taiko drummers, pulling teams, pushing teams, and wasa handlers.

Location and access

Venue and address

The event is scheduled to take place along a section centered on the Mukoda side of National Route 3.

The address is Toriōicho, Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture.

Train and bus

About a 10–20-minute walk from JR Sendai Station.

Temporary bus stops may be set up for the event.

By car

Sections around the Sendai Station intersection on National Route 3, the Mukoda intersection, Taiheibashi-dori, and other areas will be completely closed to traffic at certain times.

Parking

No parking is provided specifically for Sendai Ōtsunahiki.

Use of public transportation is recommended whenever possible.

Source: 令和８年度川内大綱引 - 川内大綱引保存会 / ９月２２日の交通規制について - 川内大綱引保存会

Address Toriōicho, Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the event was listed as scheduled to take place on September 22 (Tuesday).

The ritual and Dan-gi Festival are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with the main tug-of-war starting at around 8:15 p.m.

After the main event, the result will be determined and cleanup will take place. Traffic restrictions on National Route 3 are scheduled to end at 11 p.m.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Around the venue, National Route 3 will be closed to all traffic for an extended period for the rope-making and great tug-of-war.

In 2026, the restricted sections will differ between the rope-making and tug-of-war periods, and bus stops are also scheduled to be relocated.

No dedicated parking will be available, so if you plan to visit by car, please watch for traffic restrictions and consider using public transportation.

Nearby attractions

Tourist attractions around the event site include Nitta Shrine (可愛山陵), Mukoda Park, the Satsumasendai City Sendai History Museum, and the Sendai Magokoro Literature Museum.

Listed hot spring areas include Sendai Takashiro Onsen, Ichihino Onsen, and Iriki Onsen.

If visiting in combination with the festival, check the operating status and conditions of use for each facility individually.

Temples and shrinesSatsumasendai

新田神社

鹿児島県薩摩川内市にある神社

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写真：ja:User:MK Products upload by Sakoppi / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Museums and art museumsSatsumasendai

薩摩川内市せんだい宇宙館

鹿児島県薩摩川内市にある科学展示館、天文台

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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 Sendai Ōtsunahiki

Sendai Ōtsunahiki is based on the Jugoya tug-of-war tradition, which has been held in southern Kyushu mainly on day 15 of lunar month 8.

One theory is that Shimazu Yoshihiro started it to raise the morale of his soldiers, but the details of its origins are unclear.

Tug-of-war events from multiple districts were combined after the Meiji period, and the tradition is now carried on mainly in Mukoda and Ōshōji.

Official information

The official information is available on the Sendai Ōtsunahiki Preservation Society website.

Information is provided on the 2026 event date, venue, schedule for the day, traffic restrictions, and rules.

The Kagoshima Prefecture tourism website also lists the event date, access information, and the size of the giant rope.

Visit the official website

Sendai Ōtsunahiki at a Glance

Sendai Ōtsunahiki is a traditional tug-of-war event held in central Satsumasendai.

In 2026, it was listed as scheduled to take place on National Route 3 on the Mukoda side on September 22.

The event runs throughout the day, from morning Tsunaneri to the giant tug-of-war at night.

Traffic restrictions are in place, and as there is no dedicated parking, walking from Sendai Station or using public transportation is recommended.