A traditional festival kept alive by the Otoya, with mikoshi and dashi bringing color to the town of Tajima
The Otoya Observances of the Tajima Gion Festival
The 2026 edition of The Otoya Observances of the Tajima Gion Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/22 〜 2026/07/24Ended
- Season / frequency
- 3 days, including Marine Day (the July March weekday) and the consecutive Saturday and Sunday / Every year
- Location
- Around Taideuga Shrine and Kumano Shrine
- Area
- Fukushima Prefecture・Minamiaizu Town(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min · bullet 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Otoya observances of the Tajima Gion Festival, passed down in Tajima, Minamiaizu Town. You can experience a parishioner-led festival featuring the Nanagyoki Procession, the procession, and kabuki.
About The Otoya Observances of the Tajima Gion Festival
The Otoya observances of the Tajima Gion Festival are a festival passed down in Tajima, Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
Centered on a distinctive ritual organization called the Otoya, the festival includes dashi processions, a mikoshi procession, and offerings of Daitai .
A distinctive feature is that the observances are carried out as a series of events, including the preparation of doburoku (unfiltered sake) and the opening of the sacred sake before the festival.
It is also designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
A highlight is the Nanagyoki Procession, in which parishioners present offerings before the gods.
In 2026, it took place early in the morning on July 23, followed by the mikoshi procession and, in the evening, dashi processions and dashi kabuki.
Four dashi are paraded, with children’s kabuki performances; at night, sacred lanterns along the approach to the shrine are lit, enveloping the festival area in a magical atmosphere.
Source: 会津田島祇園祭 2026年7/22-7/24・南会津町 | おでかけふくしま / 会津田島祗園祭｜南会津町観光物産協会
A traditional festival kept alive by the Otoya, with mikoshi and dashi bringing color to the town of Tajima
What to expect
The festival proceeds through the , Togyo-sai, and Daitai Kagura-sai.
The Reitaisai includes the grand festival rites, the Urayasu dance, dashi processions, and kabuki performances. The Togyo-sai features the Nanagyoki Procession, the mikoshi procession, drumming, and dashi processions.
On the final day, Daitai Kagura is performed at the kagura hall, bringing the festival to a close.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Taideuga Shrine and Kumano Shrine, Tajima, Minamiaizu Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture.
The festival area includes the former National Route 121.
- Train and bus
Aizu-Tajima Station on the Aizu Railway is the closest station to the venue.
From the station, you can walk to the festival area and toward the shrines.
2026年7月23日には会津若松5:54発、会津田島7:11着の臨時列車が案内されています。
- By car
The venue is about 80 minutes by car from the Nishinasuno-Shiobara IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
祭礼区域では2026年7月22日11:00〜23:30、23日7:00〜24:00に車両交通規制が行われました。
- Parking
Free parking is available at locations including Okurairi Community Center, Biwa no Kage Sports Park, and Minamiaizu Town Hall.
利用期間は2026年7月22日9:00から23日24:00まででした。
Source: 祭り／南会津町
Address Tajima, Minamiaizu Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Event Information (the published dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival was held over 3 days, from July 22 through the 24th.
July 22 is the Reitaisai, July 23 is the Togyo-sai, and July 24 is the Daitai Kagura-sai.
The Nanagyoki Procession was scheduled for 7:50 to 8:30 on July 23; the mikoshi procession was scheduled for that morning; dashi processions and kabuki performances were scheduled from 16:00 on the 22nd and 23rd; and Daitai Kagura was scheduled for 13:00 to 15:00 on the 24th.
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 Fukushima Prefecture / Minamiaizu Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Vehicle traffic restrictions are enforced in the festival area on certain dates. During restriction hours, vehicles may not enter or leave the area, and roadside parking is prohibited.
The free parking lots are expected to be crowded, so you can also travel by way of Aizu-Tajima Station.
The Nanagyoki Procession starts early in the morning, so if you would like to see it, it is a good idea to check its start time and route in advance.
Nearby attractions
奥会津博物館
福島県南会津町にある博物館
Origins and History of The Otoya Observances of the Tajima Gion Festival
This event has been passed down while preserving its traditional forms by a festival organization centered on parishioners called the Otoya.
The cultural property description notes the value of the event continuing to this day in a form nearly identical to that recorded in Keicho 8 (1603).
It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1981, and the Otoya system continues to pass it down in Minamiaizu Town today.
Official information
For official information, see Minamiaizu Town’s Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival guide and the official Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival page of the Minamiaizu Town Tourism and Products Association.
Dates, the order of events, traffic restrictions, parking, and other details may change from year to year, so check the latest information before visiting.
Source: 会津田島祇園祭 開催日変更のおしらせ／南会津町
The Otoya Observances of the Tajima Gion Festival at a Glance
The Otoya observances of the Tajima Gion Festival are a festival held in Tajima, Minamiaizu Town, centered on the Otoya system, and are designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Distinctive events, including the Nanagyoki Procession, the mikoshi procession, dashi processions, dashi kabuki, and Daitai Kagura, continue over several days.
In 2026, the festival was held from July 22 through the 24th, and traffic restrictions were also enforced around the venue.
Since the festival area is accessible from Aizu-Tajima Station, you may also consider traveling by public transport.
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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