An autumn festival where floats from Toyo, Saijo, gather in the glow of lanterns
Toyo Festival
The 2026 edition of Toyo Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/10/10Ended
- Season / frequency
- Usually October / Held annually
- Location
- Around shrines throughout the Toyo area of Saijo City, including in front of JR Nyugawa Station
- Area
- Ehime Prefecture・Saijo City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 25 min–1 h 45 min · flight time only)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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
An autumn festival centered on and float dedications, passed down in the former Toyo area of Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture.
About Toyo Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 不二101516 File:TOUYO Matsuri.JPG / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Toyo Festival is a general term for shrine festivals held in the former Toyo City area of Saijo, Ehime Prefecture, particularly in the former Nyugawa Town.
Danjiri and floats are dedicated to each shrine, and local festivals continue through the autumn.
There are also joint processions where floats gather in places such as in front of JR Nyugawa Station, offering a close-up look at festival traditions passed down in the Toyo area.
Source: 東予祭り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
A highlight is the unified kakikurabe, where danjiri dedicated to different shrines gather in one place.
In front of JR Nyugawa Station, lantern-lit floats create a nighttime scene with a different atmosphere from the daytime.
There is also a daytime unified kakikurabe in the parking lot of Fuji Toyo, so you can enjoy the gathering of danjiri at different times of day.
An autumn festival where floats from Toyo, Saijo, gather in the glow of lanterns
What to expect
At the festivals, danjiri and floats are dedicated to shrines in each district, and events take place within each district.
On the day of the joint procession, several floats gather for a unified kakikurabe in front of the station at night and in a parking lot during the day.
Festival dates vary by shrine, and local float events take place over several days in mid-October.
How to take part
Toyo Festival is a local festival in which danjiri and floats are dedicated to shrines.
If you wish to participate, you will need to check in advance how to get involved with the festival organizers in each district.
If you visit as a spectator, watch from a place that does not obstruct the procession.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Events are held around shrines throughout the Toyo area of Saijo City, including in front of JR Nyugawa Station.
- Train and bus
In front of JR Nyugawa Station is one of the venues for the unified kakikurabe.
- By car
Be aware of traffic congestion and road restrictions nearby, and follow instructions at the site.
Event venue 愛媛県西条市 JR壬生川駅前
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (The listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the joint procession of the Toyo Autumn Festival is scheduled for October 10.
The announced procession time is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Toyo Festival comprises shrine festivals and district events, with other events, such as , also scheduled on different days.
Check the dates of each shrine’s festival and the details of each event at the respective venue.
Source: 「西条まつり」のご案内 - 愛媛県西条市ホームページ
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 Ehime Prefecture / Saijo City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
At the nighttime unified kakikurabe, you can enjoy the sight of lanterns glowing on the danjiri.
As the festivals take place at multiple shrines and in different districts, it’s a good idea to check the event you want to see and its venue in advance.
Follow staff instructions and on-site guidance while watching, and do not obstruct the danjiri procession or the movement of people.
Nearby attractions
四国鉄道文化館
愛媛県西条市にある鉄道博物館
石鎚神社
愛媛県西条市にある神社
Origins and History of Toyo Festival
Records from the Edo period mention danjiri processions in the Toyo area.
From the Meiji through Taisho periods, danjiri and -style floats also paraded in places such as Shufu, Mitsuya, and Tamanoe.
Float dedications declined for a time after the war, but the revival of the Nyugawa Honmachi float in 1978 and an increase in the number of floats during the Heisei period helped lead to the festival as it is celebrated today.
Official information
Saijo City’s official website provides the date of the 2026 Toyo Autumn Festival and the time of the joint procession in its “Saijo Festival” information.
The city’s FAQ also provides information on walking time from Nyugawa Station and whether parking is available.
Toyo Festival at a Glance
Toyo Festival is an autumn festival in which shrine festivals and float events across the former Toyo area of Saijo City come together.
Danjiri and mikoshi are dedicated, with joint processions and kakikurabe held in places such as in front of the station.
The 2026 joint procession is scheduled for October 10. It can be reached on foot from Nyugawa Station, but there is no parking.
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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