A historical pageant in Shibayama, with ancient people descending at a burial mound and walking through town
Shibayama Haniwa Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/11/08Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- The 2nd Sunday of November each year / Every year
- Location
- Tonozuka and Himezuka Kofun, Shibayama Nioson, Shibayama Park Lawn
- Area
- Chiba Prefecture・Shibayama Town(From Tokyo: approx. 40 min–1 h · 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
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free (no admission fee)
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Shibayama Haniwa Festival, where ancient people descend upon Shibayama, a town of burial mounds and haniwa. Through its ceremonies and processions, this festival offers a chance to experience ancient culture and interaction among local people.
About Shibayama Haniwa Festival
The Shibayama Haniwa Festival is held in Shibayama Town, Chiba Prefecture, an area deeply associated with ancient burial mounds and haniwa clay figures, and features people dressed as ancient people appearing in the present day.
Local elementary and junior high school students and others dress as ancient people and perform ceremonies and processions at burial mounds, temples, and parks.
The festival continues as an opportunity to reflect on the richness of the ancient spirit and bring local people together.
Source: Web芝山はにわ祭
Festival highlights
Highlights include the “Descent Ceremony,” which begins at Tonozuka and Himezuka Kofun, and the procession of the ancient people from Shibayama Nioson to Shibayama Park.
At Shibayama Nioson, a welcoming Buddhist service and local performing arts are presented, while at Shibayama Park, the ancient people interact with people of today.
The festival is made memorable by its closing scene, in which the ancient people leave a message and ascend to heaven.
Source: 第41回芝山はにわ祭／殿塚・姫塚古墳、芝山仁王尊、芝山公園芝生広場｜イベント｜千葉県公式観光サイト ちば観光ナビ
A historical pageant in Shibayama, with ancient people descending at a burial mound and walking through town
What to expect
The festival begins with a ceremony at a burial mound in which ancient people descend into the present day, followed by a welcoming Buddhist service and exchange at Shibayama Nioson.
Afterward, a procession of the ancient people heads to Shibayama Park, where they interact with people of today and take part in events.
The festival concludes with a ceremony in which the ancient people leave a message for people of today, promise to meet again next year, and ascend to heaven.
How to take part
At the festival, local elementary and junior high school students and others dress as people from ancient times and perform ceremonies and parades at the kofun, Shibayama Nio-son, and Shibayama Park.
General visitors can watch the festival rites and procession, from the Descent Ceremony through the Ascension Ceremony.
No requirements are provided for members of the public to take part as performers, such as by playing people from ancient times.
At the heart of the festival are five ceremonies performed by local children dressed as people from ancient times.
Visitors can move between the venues to watch the Descent Ceremony, Fellowship Ceremony, Procession Ceremony, Welcome Ceremony, and Ascension Ceremony.
The available event information does not specify how to participate as a performer or any application requirements.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Tonozuka and Himezuka Kofun, Shibayama Nioson, and Shibayama Park Lawn.
The addresses are: Shibayama Nioson, 298 Shibayama, Shibayama Town, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture; Shibayama Park, 420 Shibayama, Shibayama Town, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture; and Tonozuka and Himezuka Kofun, 1462 Nakadai, Yokoshibahikari Town, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture.
- Train and bus
Airport shuttle buses run from Airport Terminal 2 and Shibayama-Chiyoda Station. A free shuttle bus also runs from Shibayama-Chiyoda Station.
- By car
About 10 minutes from Matsuo-Yokoshiba IC on the Ken-O Expressway, or about 30 minutes from Tomisato IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway.
- Parking
Parking is available at Shibayama Cultural Center and in the area around Shibayama Park.
Parking is limited, and congestion is expected.
Address Tonozuka and Himetsuka Kofun: 1462 Nakadai, Yokoshibahikari, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture / Shibayama Nio-son: 298 Shibayama, Shibayama, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture / Shibayama Park: 420 Shibayama, Shibayama, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture
Dates and season
In 2026, the festival will be held on November 8 (Sunday), with scheduled hours from 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The festival begins with the Descent Ceremony at Tonozuka and Himetsuka Kofun, then moves to Shibayama Nio-son and the lawn at Shibayama Park.
The schedule may change depending on conditions on the day.
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 Chiba Prefecture / Shibayama Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The event takes place at several venues: Tonozuka and Himezuka Kofun, Shibayama Nioson, and the lawn at Shibayama Park. Arriving early is recommended so you can move between venues to see the ceremonies you are interested in.
If you are arriving by car, parking is limited and congestion is expected.
The timing and details of the ceremonies may change depending on conditions on the day, so please also pay attention to local announcements.
Nearby attractions
Near the festival venues are the Shibayama Town Shibayama Kofun and Haniwa Museum, Shibayama Nioson Kannonkyoji Temple, and Tonozuka and Himezuka.
Shibayama Park is adjacent to the Shibayama Kofun and Haniwa Museum and Shibayama Nioson, making it possible to learn about the festival alongside the area’s history and culture.
These are listed as festival venues or related facilities.
Source: 祭りイベント観光 - 芝山町商工会
成田空港 空と大地の歴史館
日本の千葉県、芝山町にある成田空港問題を扱う資料館
航空科学博物館
千葉県芝山町にある航空科学博物館
Origins and History of Shibayama Haniwa Festival
The Shibayama Haniwa Festival began in 1982 as a festival that looks back on the wonders of ancient times and recalls the richness of spirit that is often forgotten in modern life.
It is said to have been planned by local volunteers against the backdrop of divisions among residents over the Narita Airport issue, and it also helped bring the community together.
Today, it is held every year in November as a community event inspired by the kofun burial mounds and haniwa clay figures.
Official information
Official information is available on the Shibayama Haniwa Festival Executive Committee’s “Web Shibayama Haniwa Festival.”
The 2026 event information is also posted on Chiba Prefecture’s official tourism website, Chiba Kanko Navi.
The phone number for the Shibayama Haniwa Festival Executive Committee Secretariat is listed as the contact number.
Shibayama Haniwa Festival at a Glance
The Shibayama Haniwa Festival is held in Shibayama Town, a place associated with ancient burial mounds and haniwa clay figures, and features people dressed as ancient people performing rituals and processions.
Its distinctive sequence moves from descent to exchange, procession, welcome, and ascension, offering a sense of ancient culture and local interaction.
In 2026, the festival will be held on November 8 around Tonozuka and Himezuka Kofun, Shibayama Nioson, and Shibayama Park.
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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