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Miyazaki Prefecture · Shiiba Village (From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h · flight time only)

A festival bringing the story of Tsurutomi-hime and Daihachiro back to life in autumn in Shiiba

Shiiba Heike Festival

An illustration inspired by the Shiiba Heike Festival

Festival information

EVENT INFORMATION
Dates
2026/11/07 〜 2026/11/08Scheduled
Season / frequency
Nov / Held annually
Location
The Central Stage next to Shiiba Village Office, Tsurutomi Residence, the Development Center, and other locations
Area
Miyazaki Prefecture・Shiiba Village(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 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.
Highlights and activities
Participation / viewing
Spectators welcome
Official website / social media
Official website
Last updated
2026/10/19

The Shiiba Heike Festival features the tragic love story of Tsurutomi-hime and Nasu Daihachiro, passed down in Shiiba, with events including the Horaku Festival, the Yamato Emaki Samurai Procession, and local performing arts. In 2026, it will be held on November 7 and the 8th.

About Shiiba Heike Festival

The Shiiba Heike Festival is a local event that recreates, through the festival, the tragic love story of Nasu Daihachiro of the Genji and Tsurutomi-hime of the Heike, passed down in Shiiba.

Events include the Horaku Festival in honor of Tsurutomi-hime, the Yamato Emaki Samurai Procession, local performing arts, and regional cuisine.

A festival that introduces Shiiba Village’s history and stories through events, performing arts, and local products.

Source: 【2026】椎葉平家まつり | イベント | 宮崎県公式観光サイト「みやざき観光ナビ」

Festival highlights

Highlights include the Tsurutomi-hime Horaku Festival on the first day and the Yamato Emaki Samurai Procession on the second day.

The Horaku Festival features Shinto rites, performances offered to the deities, and biwa music, with Tsurutomi-hime and Nasu Daihachiro reunited within the story.

The samurai procession features Tsurutomi-hime in a twelve-layered kimono, Nasu Daihachiro in samurai armor, and a parade of local performing arts.

A festival bringing the story of Tsurutomi-hime and Daihachiro back to life in autumn in Shiiba

What to expect

The festival runs for 2 days. The first day is scheduled to feature the Tsurutomi-hime Horaku Festival, which also serves as the opening ceremony, a concert by Shin Aoyama, and a local products carnival.

The second day features the local products carnival, the Yamato Emaki Samurai Procession, and a concert by Yoshimi Tendo.

The venue also offers opportunities to experience local performing arts and regional cuisine.

How to take part

The 2026 Shiiba Heike Festival can be enjoyed by watching stage performances, concerts, the Horaku Festival, the samurai procession, the local products carnival, and other events.

The Tsurutomi-hime Horaku Festival features Shinto rites, kagura performances offered to the deities, and biwa music.

The samurai procession presents a parade in twelve-layered kimono and samurai armor, along with local performing arts.

Location and access

Venue and address

The Central Stage next to Shiiba Village Office, Tsurutomi Residence, the Development Center, and other locations.

It is in Shimofukura, Shiiba Village, Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture (throughout the Kamishiiba Highway area).

Train and bus

It is about 1 hour 30 minutes from JR Hyugashi Station.

By car

It is about 1 hour 25 minutes from Hyuga IC on the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway.

Parking

Free parking is available.

Address Shimofukura, Shiiba Village, Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture (throughout the Kamishiiba Highway area)

Open in Google Maps

Dates and season

In 2026, the festival will be held for 2 days, on November 7 (Saturday) and the 8th (Sunday).

The first day is scheduled to feature the Tsurutomi-hime Horaku Festival, a concert, and a local products carnival.

The second day is scheduled to feature the local products carnival, the Yamato Emaki Samurai Procession, and a concert.

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 Miyazaki Prefecture / Shiiba Village (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

Tips for your visit

The venues are spread across several locations, including the Central Stage next to Shiiba Village Office, Tsurutomi Residence, and the Development Center, so checking in advance where the events you want to see are being held can help you get around.

If traveling by car, it is about 1 hour 25 minutes from Hyuga IC on the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway.

Free parking is listed, but facility information may change, so check the latest guidance before setting out.

Nearby attractions

Tsurutomi Residence is listed as a festival venue. Nearby attractions include Shiiba Itsukushima Shrine, Kamishiiba Dam (Lake Hyuga Shiiba), and the Shiiba Museum of Folk Performing Arts.

Alongside the festival, you can visit places connected with Shiiba Village’s history and culture and its mountain scenery.

Check the opening status and visitor requirements of each facility before your visit.

Origins and History of Shiiba Heike Festival

The festival is based on a story in which, after the Battle of Dan-no-ura, Heike survivors fled to Shiiba, where Nasu Daihachiro of the Genji and Tsurutomi-hime of the Heike met.

Their tragic love story has been sung and passed down through Shiiba’s folk song “Hietsuki-bushi.”

Through the Horaku Festival and samurai procession, the festival recreates the story and scenes from that time.

Official information

Official tourism information, including dates, venues, and transportation, is available on the Miyazaki Prefecture official tourism website, “Miyazaki Kanko Navi.”

The Shiiba Village Tourism Association website and Instagram are also listed as related resources.

Visit the official website

Shiiba Heike Festival at a Glance

The Shiiba Heike Festival brings to life the story of Tsurutomi-hime and Nasu Daihachiro, passed down in Shiiba, through the Horaku Festival, a samurai procession, and local performing arts.

In 2026, it will be held on November 7 and the 8th, with the Horaku Festival as the main event on the first day and the Yamato Emaki Samurai Procession on the second.

The festival is held at several venues in Shiiba Village and is accessible from Hyugashi Station and Hyuga IC.

#Perform music#Eat#Mountains and satoyama

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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