Shimabara Water Festival

This summer festival expresses gratitude for Shimabara’s spring water, illuminating its clear streams and historic streetscape with the light of Japanese umbrellas and bamboo lanterns.

About Shimabara Water Festival

The Shimabara Water Festival is a summer event held to express gratitude for Shimabara City’s abundant spring water and to share hopes for community development centered on water and greenery.

Light displays featuring bamboo lanterns and Japanese umbrellas are set against the city’s spring water spots, clear streams, and historic streetscapes.

This event offers a chance to experience the local scenery and culture while appreciating the blessings of water up close.

Source: 島原水まつり｜イベント｜島原半島公式観光サイト

Festival highlights

Highlights include venue displays combining water and light, such as a Japanese umbrella installation, bamboo lanterns, and a wind chime arch.

At night, a Japanese umbrella lighting ceremony and illuminations are held, enveloping Chuo Park and Seiryutei in a magical atmosphere.

With stage events, food stalls, and food trucks, visitors can enjoy it as a summer event in Shimabara, not just for its light displays.

Source: 島原水まつり – Enjoy!しまばら

A summer festival illuminating a town of spring water with Japanese umbrellas and lanterns

What to expect

The event is expected to feature flowing somen and kansarashi served to visitors, food stalls, food trucks, and more.

Dance performances and dances by nursery school children are presented on stage, followed by nighttime illuminations after the Japanese umbrella lighting ceremony.

Participatory activities include a fast-eating competition featuring wanko somen and a beauty contest.

How to take part

There are food stalls, stage performances, and refreshments for general visitors to enjoy.

The Wanko Somen event accepts registrations on the day, while the Yukata Beauty Contest requires advance registration.

Since participation requirements differ by activity, it is helpful to distinguish between enjoying the event as a spectator and taking part after applying.

You can enter the Wanko Somen event on the day.

Advance registration is required for the Yukata Beauty Contest. A dedicated URL is provided for applications.

No individual participation procedures are specified for the other stage performances or refreshments.

Source: 【お第39回島原水まつり開催のお知らせ】

Check participation details

Location and access

Venue and address: Chuo Park, Seiryutei / Shinmachi, Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Train and bus: Chuo Park is a 5-minute walk from Shimabara Railway’s Reikyu Koen Taiikukan Station.
Parking: Paid parking is available near the venue at King Port Jumbo Parking Lot, Gamadasu Parking Lot (Yutorogi no Yu), and Reikyu Community Center Parking Lot.

Address Shinmachi, Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season: Summer
Frequency: Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Nagasaki Prefecture / Shimabara City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

The event is held at two venues, Chuo Park and Seiryutei, and the location and time vary by activity.

Japanese umbrellas and bamboo lanterns are lit in the evening, so it is a good idea to plan separately for daytime activities and the nighttime illuminations.

The yukata beauty contest requires advance registration, while the wanko somen event accepts entries on the day; the participation methods differ.

Nearby attractions

Around the venue, you can visit places such as the Shimmeiso Spring Garden, Shimabara Spring Water Museum, the Town of Swimming Carp, and the Seiryutei Tourist and Community Exchange Center in the Town of Swimming Carp.

This is a place where you can experience Shimabara’s local culture connected to water, alongside the festival’s theme of spring water and waterways.

Shimabara Onsen and Yutorigino-yu are also listed as nearby visitor attractions.

Castles and historic sitesShimabara City

島原城

長崎県島原市の城

Visit the official page ↗

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写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5

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Museums and art museumsShimabara City

雲仙岳災害記念館

長崎県島原市にある記念館

Visit the official page ↗

Photo and data sources

写真：Ackeyyama / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Origins and History of Shimabara Water Festival

Shimabara Water Festival began in 1987 or 1988 and was originally called the Shiritsuko Water Festival.

It is said to have been established to express gratitude for the abundant blessings of water from the Shimabara Spring Water Group and hope for community development centered on water and greenery.

It later developed through changes to its venue and program. After being canceled in 2020, it resumed in 2021, and in 2022, “Water and Light in Color” was added as a new concept.

Official information

Event information and program details are available from the Shimabara Water Festival Executive Committee and related information from the Shimabara Tourism Bureau.

The “Shimabara Water Festival” Instagram account is also listed as an official source.

For inquiries, contact the Shimabara Water Festival Executive Committee.