Takesako Kannon Festival

Festival highlights

Each neighborhood pulls a dashi called a “doranjā,” carrying two taiko drums, and heads to Kannon Hall while playing “Yarimaki” on taiko and flutes.

At a three-way intersection along the route, the doranjā from three districts collide with great force and then join together.

At Kannon Hall, the dashi separate, circle the hall clockwise three times, and return to their respective districts when the tune changes to “Dōraku.”

A summer tradition in Takesako, where dashi meet to the sound of taiko and flutes

What to expect

During the festival, each neighborhood plays taiko and flutes as it pulls its doranjā toward Takesako Kannon Hall.

At a three-way intersection, the dashi from three districts meet, then collide and join together before heading uphill to Kannon Hall.

At Kannon Hall, the dashi separate and circle the hall three times, then return to their respective districts while playing “Dōraku.”

How to take part

参加費：無料

Location and access

Venue and address

Takesako Kannon Hall, 1627 Takesako, Koshi City

Address 1627 Takesako, Koshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

According to the 2026 information, the event was scheduled to run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 11.

In case of rain, it was scheduled to take place on July 12. The Takesako Kannon Preservation Society was said to decide on the day, at around 4 p.m., whether the event would go ahead.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The 2026 information stated that, in case of rain, the event was scheduled to take place on July 12.

The information states that the Takesako Kannon Preservation Society decides on the day, at around 4 p.m., whether the event will go ahead in case of rain.

If the event was canceled, the cancellation was scheduled to be announced on Instagram.

Nearby attractions

Museums and art museumsKoshi City

合志マンガミュージアム

熊本県合志市のマンガミュージアム

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：桃パフェ / 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 Takesako Kannon Festival

The Takesako Kannon Festival is a traditional event that has continued for about 800 years and is said to have originated in Furyu Bon Odori from the Kamakura period.

According to Koshi City records, each neighborhood’s doranjā heads to Kannon Hall in an uphill procession, then returns to its district in a downhill procession.

In Showa 53 March 31, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Koshi Town.

Official information

According to the 2026 information, the event is organized by the Takesako Kannon Preservation Society.

The venue is Takesako Kannon Hall, and the information page includes a link to the official Koshi City website.

Takesako Kannon Festival at a Glance

The Takesako Kannon Festival is a traditional event in Takesako, Koshi City, said to have continued for about 800 years.

Each neighborhood pulls a doranjā accompanied by taiko and flute music. The procession passes through a collision and joining of the dashi at a three-way intersection and a circuit around Kannon Hall, before returning to each district.

The history, said to originate in Furyu Bon Odori, is linked with prayers for good harvests, the growth of the livestock industry, and traffic safety.