A traditional festival that brings the castle town to life with lavish dairin and spirited aori
Shibata Dairin
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year August / Every year
- Area
- Niigata Prefecture・Shibata 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
- Official website / social media
- Official website
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A traditional festival in which lavishly decorated dairin make their way through Shibata and perform the spirited “aori.” It is said to have begun in 1726 and has been passed down through 6 neighborhoods.
About Shibata Dairin
The Shibata Dairin is a festival centered on lavishly decorated dairin, passed down through the former castle town of Shibata.
The dairin has a two-story, palace-style design and is decorated with carvings, vermilion lacquer, and gold leaf.
The existing dairin are preserved by their respective neighborhoods and keep the local festival culture alive today.
There are also storage buildings where you can view the dairin year-round.
Source: しばた台輪 | しばた観光ガイド
Festival highlights
Highlights include the dairin’s distinctive 3-wheel structure and the “aori,” in which the front wheels are lifted high and brought down onto the ground.
Each of the 6 neighborhoods has its own distinctive dairin, , and chants, making it enjoyable to compare them.
The dairin’s carvings, vermilion lacquer, gold leaf, and second-story decorative figures also draw the eye with their fine detail.
Scenes of the lanterns glowing during the nighttime procession are also featured.
Source: 新発田台輪 三〇〇周年 特集ページ｜しばた町めぐり
A traditional festival that brings the castle town to life with lavish dairin and spirited aori
What to expect
The dairin travel from their neighborhoods to Suwa Shrine, where processions make offerings in front of the shrine gate, and return to their neighborhoods at the end of the festival.
During the procession, you can enjoy the “aori,” in which the front wheels are lifted and brought down, as well as the sound of kiyari work songs.
On the return procession, several dairin come together, showing the pride and enthusiasm of each neighborhood.
Check the information for the relevant year for details on the event schedule and how to view it.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Within Shibata City.
- Train and bus
Take the JR Uetsu Main Line to Shibata Station.
From the Tokyo area, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata Station, then transfer to the Hakushin Line to reach Shibata Station.
The Ayame Bus is also available in the city.
- By car
From Seiro-Shibata I.C. on the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway, head toward Shibata.
On the Ban-etsu Expressway, take National Route 290 from Yasuda I.C.
Source: 交通アクセス | しばた観光ガイド
Around the nearest station 新潟県新発田市 JR羽越本線で新発田駅
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
- Season
Every year August
- Frequency
Every year
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 / Shibata City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Shibata City is home to Shibata Castle, which tells the story of the area's history as a castle town, and Shimizu Garden, a Place of Scenic Beauty designated by the national government.
At Shibata Castle, the front gate and former Ninomaru Corner Turret, both dating back to the Edo period, are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
Shimizu Garden is a Kyoto-style garden laid out during the Genroku era.
The city is also home to Tsukioka Onsen, so you can explore Shibata's history and attractions alongside the festival.
Source: しばたの魅力｜新潟県新発田市公式ホームページ
五十公野公園
新潟県新発田市にある公園
Origins and History of Shibata Dairin
The origins of the Shibata Dairin are said to date back to Kyoho 11 (1726).
It is said to have begun when Naoharu Mizoguchi, the 6th lord of the Shibata Domain, ordered decorated floats bearing figures to be brought out for the festival at Suwa Shrine.
Since then, the dairin have been cared for by their respective neighborhoods, and 6 are still in existence today.
2026 marked the 300th anniversary of the start of the procession.
Official information
For official information, visit the official Shibata Festival website.
Information for each year, including the dairin route, the day's schedule, and traffic restrictions, is posted here.
Shibata Dairin at a Glance
The Shibata Dairin is a traditional event in Shibata said to have begun in 1726.
The lavish palace-style dairin and the dramatic “aori,” in which the front wheels are lifted and brought down, are major highlights.
The 6 neighborhoods each care for their own dairin and carry on the festival through processions to Suwa Shrine to make offerings and returns to their neighborhoods.
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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