A traditional festival featuring Toda's dashi and karakuri puppets
Toda Festival's dashi event and the dashi of Hakusan Shrine
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- The first Saturday and Sunday of October ( festival held once every 4 years) / Once every 4 years
- Location
- Toda Elementary School
- Area
- Aichi Prefecture・Nagoya City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 h · 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
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
An event featuring dashi and karakuri puppets, passed down in Toda, Nakagawa Ward, Nagoya. It began in the Edo period and has been revived and carried on by preservation societies.
About Toda Festival's dashi event and the dashi of Hakusan Shrine
Toda Festival is a dashi event passed down in Toda, Nakagawa Ward, Nagoya.
It is said to have first been held as the Hachiman Festival in 1702, and karakuri puppets are believed to have been made around 1796.
The preservation societies protect the dashi and karakuri puppets from each district. Since 2002, the dashi festival has become an annual tradition held once every 4 years on the first Saturday and Sunday of October.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the dashi from each district gathering together and the performances with karakuri puppets associated with the dashi.
At the 300th-anniversary celebration in 2002, 5 dashi from each district gathered, and performances with each district's karakuri puppets and street dancing were introduced.
The karakuri performances include Echigo Shishi, Ayawatari, and calligraphy, which help shape the distinctive character of Toda Festival.
A traditional festival featuring Toda's dashi and karakuri puppets
What to expect
At the dashi festival, the dashi from each district are brought together, followed by performances with karakuri puppets and street dancing.
In 2009, the dashi from Districts 1, 3, 4, and 5 gathered at the crossroads. Afterwards, the dashi from Districts 1, 4, and 5 gathered at Hachiman Shrine, where they performed with karakuri puppets.
The dashi festival was held at Toda Elementary School in 2018 and 2022.
Location and access
- Venue
Toda Elementary School
Event venue 愛知県名古屋市 戸田小学校
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Season
The first Saturday and Sunday of October (dashi festival held once every 4 years)
- Frequency
Once every 4 years
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 Aichi Prefecture / Nagoya City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
昭和美術館
愛知県名古屋市昭和区にある美術館
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2005年に愛知県名古屋市のデ・ラ・ファンタジア内に開いていた遊園地
でんきの科学館
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名古屋市西区にある複合施設
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愛知県名古屋市港区にある鉄道博物館
レゴランド・ジャパン
愛知県名古屋市港区にあるテーマパーク
名古屋城
愛知県の城
名古屋市博物館
名古屋市瑞穂区に所在する歴史博物館
名古屋市科学館
愛知県名古屋市中区の白川公園内にある科学館
名古屋市美術館
愛知県名古屋市にある美術館
名古屋港水族館
名古屋市港区の水族館
Origins and History of Toda Festival's dashi event and the dashi of Hakusan Shrine
Toda Festival began in 1702, and karakuri puppets are believed to have been made around 1796.
The 1959 Isewan Typhoon severely damaged the dashi and karakuri puppets, and the dashi festival was subsequently discontinued.
In 1975, preservation societies for each district were formed and revived the festival. In 1981, it was designated a Nagoya City Intangible Folk Cultural Property, and in 2014 its designation category was changed.
Official information
Toda Festival's dashi event and the dashi of Hakusan Shrine at a Glance
Toda Festival is a dashi event passed down in Toda, Nakagawa Ward, Nagoya.
It is said to have begun in 1702, and its highlights include karakuri puppets, street dancing, and the gathering of dashi from each district.
After being suspended because of the Isewan Typhoon, the festival was revived by a preservation society. Since 2002, it has been recorded as a dashi festival held once every 4 years.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/11
