Shinshu Ueda Gion Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include the many mikoshi parading through the city center and the “Ofune no Tennō Dashi,” which is pulled through Unnomachi.

The dashi is 8.6 meters long and 5.1 meters high, with elaborate decorations such as a carved golden dragon and a ceiling depicting a phoenix.

Traffic restrictions are also in place from evening into the night, adding to the atmosphere of a festival held in the heart of town.

Source: お舟の天王山車 | 上田市の文化財

A summer castle-town festival in Ueda, brought to life by mikoshi and dashi

What to expect

Mikoshi from different neighborhood associations gather for the festival, including shrine mikoshi, barrel mikoshi, and children’s mikoshi, and parade through the city center.

During the day, the “Ofune no Tennō Dashi” is pulled through Unnomachi, while the mikoshi and dashi each play their part in bringing the festival to life.

You can enjoy the festival as it unfolds by walking through the shopping streets and roads, comparing the mikoshi from different neighborhoods.

Source: 真田坂 増刊号 | 信州上田 松尾町商店街

Location and access

Address

Ueda City

Host municipality 長野県上田市

This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.

Open in Google Maps

Dates and season

Season

Every year July

Frequency

Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Traffic restrictions are in place from evening into night in the central district where the festival is held.

If driving near Unnomachi Shopping Street, Otemachi Street, Matsuocho Street, or Haramachi Street, take care to check your route.

Please check the restriction times and areas for 2026 before the festival.

Nearby attractions

Ueda Castle, closely associated with the festival, is described as the site of a castle built by Sanada Masayuki in 1583.

It is now maintained as a park, where visitors can see remains such as turrets and earthen ramparts.

Ueda City also offers places to experience traditional culture, including shrines and temples, hot springs, and Ueda Tsumugi silk.

Source: 観光スポット | 信州上田観光協会

Castles and historic sitesUeda City

上田城

長野県上田市にあった城

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：Tomorobi / CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Temples and shrinesUeda City

生島足島神社

日本の長野県上田市にある神社

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：Saigen Jiro / CC0

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Museums and art museumsUeda City

美ヶ原高原美術館

長野県上田市にある美術館

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Shinshu Ueda Gion Festival

Gion festivals are said to have spread throughout Japan as events praying for the end of epidemics and the removal of misfortune. In Ueda, the festival has also been associated with the construction of Ueda Castle and prayers for the castle’s protection.

There are several theories about the origins of the Ueda Gion Festival. The Ueda City History notes that it was held along the Gohonmaru Road in 1684.

The “Ofune no Tennō Dashi,” which dates back to the Edo period, was built in 1800 and is a cultural property that preserves Ueda’s festival traditions.

Shinshu Ueda Gion Festival at a Glance

The Shinshu Ueda Gion Festival is a summer celebration in central Ueda, featuring mikoshi from neighborhood associations and historic dashi.

A major highlight is the “Ofune no Tennō Dashi,” pulled through Unnomachi, alongside shrine mikoshi, barrel mikoshi, and children’s mikoshi.