A night of tradition, with lantern boats and music bringing Minato Bay to life
Shagiri Boat Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Night of day 15 of lunar month 6 / Every year (usually)
- Location
- Minato Bay
- Area
- Okayama Prefecture・Okayama City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 10 min–3 h 40 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
The Shagiri Boat Festival, passed down in Minato-cho, Higashi-ku, Okayama City, is a water-based folk event held as part of the Mishiomatsuri at Kameishi Shrine. Yakatabune decorated with lanterns cruise around Minato Bay while playing music.
About Shagiri Boat Festival
The Shagiri Boat Festival is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property passed down in Minato-cho, Higashi-ku, Okayama City.
In conjunction with the Mishiomatsuri at Kameishi Shrine, yakatabune decorated with lanterns cruise around Minato Bay while playing Gion , , and other music.
It is usually held on the night of day 15 of lunar month 6, with many children taking part.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the sight of yakatabune, lavishly decorated with lanterns, moving across the water.
Shagiri boats lit by lanterns cruise around Minato Bay while playing Gion hayashi, kagura, and other music.
The scene of light on the water mingling with the music is a distinctive feature that Okayama City describes as “charming and graceful.”
A night of tradition, with lantern boats and music bringing Minato Bay to life
What to expect
During the event, yakatabune decorated with lanterns cruise around Minato Bay.
Gion hayashi, kagura, and other music are played aboard the boats, and many children take part.
As a water-based event connected with the Mishiomatsuri, the festival’s central observance, the boats’ decorations, music, and cruise unfold together.
How to take part
Many children take part in the event.
The event features boats cruising around Minato Bay while playing Gion hayashi, kagura, and other music, but no information is provided about participation requirements for general visitors.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Minato Bay / Minato-cho, Higashi-ku, Okayama City
Address Minato-cho, Higashi-ku, Okayama City
Dates and season
- Season
Night of day 15 of lunar month 6
- Frequency
Every year (usually)
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 Okayama Prefecture / Okayama City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
備前国総社宮
岡山県岡山市中区祇園にある神社
吉備の中山
岡山市にある山
Kibitsuhiko Shrine
岡山市北区にある神社
吉備津神社
岡山市北区にある神社
夢二郷土美術館
岡山県岡山市にある美術館
岡山城
岡山県の城
岡山市半田山植物園
岡山県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
岡山市立オリエント美術館
岡山市北区にある美術館
岡山県立博物館
岡山市北区の後楽園外苑にある博物館
岡山県立美術館
岡山市北区にある美術館
岡山神社
日本の岡山市にある神社
後楽園
岡山県岡山市北区にある庭園
Origins and History of Shagiri Boat Festival
The Shagiri Boat Festival is said to have begun in 1818, the first year of the Bunsei era.
Passed down as a water-based event connected with the Mishiomatsuri at Kameishi Shrine, it is now classified as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Okayama City.
It was designated by the city on August 22 in Heisei 26 (2014), and the Minato Kameiwa Shagiri Preservation Society is listed as its administrator and custodian.
Official information
Okayama City Official Cultural Property Information, “Shagiri Boat Festival”
Shagiri Boat Festival at a Glance
The Shagiri Boat Festival is a water-based folk event held as part of the Mishiomatsuri at Kameishi Shrine in Minato-cho, Higashi-ku, Okayama City.
Yakatabune decorated with lanterns cruise around Minato Bay while playing Gion hayashi, kagura, and other music, with many children taking part.
The event is said to have begun in 1818, the first year of the Bunsei era, and is usually held on the night of day 15 of lunar month 6.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
