Three days of mikoshi and taiko bringing Shibetsu’s summer to life
Shibetsu Shrine Annual Festival (Shibetsu Festival)
The 2026 edition of Shibetsu Shrine Annual Festival (Shibetsu Festival) has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/14 〜 2026/07/16Ended
- Season / frequency
- Held from July 14 through the 16th, with July 15 as the main day
- Location
- Shibetsu Shrine, the city center (Chuo-dori), and other areas throughout the city
- Area
- Hokkaido・Shibetsu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · flight time only)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
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Shibetsu Shrine Annual Festival is a summer celebration that envelops the city of Shibetsu with the sound of and , dedication events, and bustling food stalls.
About Shibetsu Shrine Annual Festival (Shibetsu Festival)
The Shibetsu Shrine Annual Festival is the shrine’s annual festival, commonly known as the “Shibetsu Festival.”
Held for 3 days from the eve festival through the post-festival celebration, around July 15, the day regarded as the founding of Shibetsu.
Mikoshi, taiko, dedication events, and food stalls bring Shibetsu’s summer to life, with the shrine and city streets serving as the festival’s stage.
Source: 士別神社例大祭（士別まつり）｜イベント｜【公式】北海道の観光・旅行情報サイト HOKKAIDO LOVE! / おまつり - 皆さまの安らぎと幸せをお祈りしますー士別神社
Festival highlights
The main highlights are the mikoshi procession on the 15th, the main festival day, and the powerful sounds of Tsukumo Taiko.
Red-and-white banners and festival flags flutter, and at night shrine lanterns illuminate the grounds.
Along with the bustling food stalls, , a musical parade, and various dedication events are also key features of the festival.
Three days of mikoshi and taiko bringing Shibetsu’s summer to life
What to expect
The first day is the eve festival. The main events take place on the 15th, with the mikoshi procession and Tsukumo Taiko performances, and the final day is the post-festival celebration.
The post-festival celebration also includes the Ubuko Festival, which is held to pray for the healthy growth of babies.
The festival program also features a variety of dedication events, including judo, kendo, kyudo, and sumo competitions, calligraphy and painting exhibitions, and tea ceremony.
Source: 士別神社例大祭（士別まつり）｜北海道観光｜ぐうたび北海道
How to take part
There is an event in which local volunteers carry a mikoshi through the city, and the dedication events also give the festival a participatory character.
However, whether general visitors can take part in the mikoshi procession or competitions depends on the information provided for each event.
Visitors can enjoy the mikoshi procession, taiko, food stalls, and dedication events at the venues and around the city.
How to participate in the mikoshi procession and dedication events varies by event.
神輿については市民有志が担ぎ手となる形が紹介されています。
If you’re going to watch, visit the venue or city streets on the eve festival, main festival, or post-festival celebration.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The festival is centered around Shibetsu Shrine (Tsukumoyama, Higashi 8-jo Kita 1-chome, Shibetsu, Hokkaido), and also takes place around the city center and Chuo-dori.
- Train and bus
From JR Shibetsu Station, take a bus for about 10 minutes, get off at the stop in front of the shrine, and walk about 3 minutes.
- By car
It is about 10 minutes from the Shibetsu-Kembuchi IC on the Hokkaido Expressway.
- Parking
Shibetsu Shrine has free parking for 40 vehicles.
Source: 士別神社例大祭（士別まつり）（北海道／士別市）｜開催期間・アクセス｜るるぶ&more.
Address Tsukumoyama, Higashi 8-jo Kita 1-chome, Shibetsu, Hokkaido
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (the published dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival was held from July 14 through the 16th.
July 14 is the eve festival, and on the 15th, the main festival features the mikoshi procession and Tsukumo Taiko performances. The 16th is the post-festival celebration.
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 Hokkaido / Shibetsu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The festival extends beyond the grounds of Shibetsu Shrine to the city center and Chuo-dori, among other places.
Event locations vary—for example, the mikoshi procession, musical parade, and dedication competitions may be held in different places—so it’s a good idea to check the venue for the events you want to see in advance.
At night, shrine lanterns are lit and food stalls line the grounds, so what you can enjoy varies by time of day.
Nearby attractions
The roadside station “Hitsuji no Machi Samurai Shibetsu” is listed among the places near the festival venues.
There is also information about related festival events at the parking lot of the same roadside station, including Tsukumo Taiko performances, dance, a kindergarten drum corps, and concert band performances.
If you plan to visit in conjunction with the festival, check the day’s events and facility availability.
Origins and History of Shibetsu Shrine Annual Festival (Shibetsu Festival)
The annual festival at Shibetsu Shrine is held on July 15, the day Shibetsu was founded and the shrine was established.
The mikoshi procession began in Showa 12, and in Showa 23, a procession of vehicles touring all of Shibetsu began.
It later evolved into the format that continues today, combining carried mikoshi, decorated vehicles, and a walking procession. In Heisei 11, events were also held to mark the shrine’s centennial.
Source: 士別神社 - 北海道神社庁のホームページ
Official information
The Shibetsu Shrine official website provides information about the annual festival schedule, the mikoshi procession, and dedication events.
For festival inquiries, contact the Shibetsu Shrine office.
Shibetsu Shrine Annual Festival (Shibetsu Festival) at a Glance
The Shibetsu Shrine Annual Festival is a Shibetsu summer festival centered around July 15, featuring mikoshi, Tsukumo Taiko, dedication events, and food stalls.
A variety of events take place across several locations, from shrine lanterns on the grounds and mikoshi processions through the city to sports and cultural activities.
Explore Shibetsu Shrine and the city streets while enjoying the festival’s vibrant spirit, passed down through generations in the community.
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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