Local performing arts and dances take to the streets of Tsu in an autumn festival steeped in tradition
Tsu Festival
The 2026 edition of Tsu Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/10/09 〜 2026/10/11Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year in October / Every year
- Location
- A total of 13 venues, mainly in the Daimon and Marunouchi districts, including the Oshiro Nishi Park venue, Oshiro Park venue, and areas around Phoenix Street
- Area
- Mie Prefecture・Tsu City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train + connecting 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
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Originating in a festival at Tsu Hachimangu Shrine, this event brings local performing arts processions, , and Anotsu to the heart of Tsu.
About Tsu Festival
The Tsu Festival is a traditional event in Tsu City that originated in the festival at Tsu Hachimangu Shrine.
Local performing arts such as Tojin Odori, Shagoma, Hachiman , and Irie Waka-bayashi make their way through the city alongside mikoshi.
Anotsu Yosakoi, performances, , and other attractions bring together tradition and community participation throughout the city.
Festival highlights
Highlights include long-established local performing arts and a large parade through the city.
Tojin Odori performers wear masks and vivid costumes, while Shagoma performers race about wearing a horse body and mask; lion dances and taiko drumming proceed along the streets with mikoshi and .
At Anotsu Yosakoi, each team performs at the various venues.
Source: 【2025年】 津まつりはいつ開催？歴史や見どころ、屋台の出店についてたっぷり解説します！ | 取材レポート | 観光三重(かんこうみえ)
Local performing arts and dances take to the streets of Tsu in an autumn festival steeped in tradition
What to expect
During the festival, a Shinkosai procession and performances of local performing arts are held at Tsu Hachimangu Shrine, after which the groups head to the city center along the Ise Kaido.
Mikoshi, dashi, and performing arts groups make their way through areas such as Daimon and Marunouchi. Other venues host yosakoi, live music, a mass dance, and food and PR booths.
On the final day, the Tsu Festival Grand Parade and a gathering of local performing arts groups will also take place.
How to take part
Anotsu Yosakoi is open to participants of all ages and genders.
Participants are required to dance with naruko clappers in their hands and include a phrase from a local folk song in their music.
At Tsu Matsuri as a whole, you can also enjoy watching local performing arts processions and performances.
To take part in Anotsu Yosakoi, dancers carry naruko clappers and incorporate a phrase from a local folk song into their performance music.
These are the 2 rules listed as participation requirements; there are no age or gender restrictions.
Performances by participating groups take place at several Tsu Matsuri venues.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The festival takes place at a total of 13 venues, mainly in the Daimon and Marunouchi districts, including the Oshiro Nishi Park and Oshiro Park venues.
The address is Chuo, Tsu City.
- Train and bus
It takes about 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Tsu-Shinmachi Station to the Oshiro Nishi Park venue.
From JR or Kintetsu Tsu Station, it takes about 10 minutes from the bus stop at the station’s east exit to Mie Kaikan-mae.
- By car
If you come by car, you are advised to park at the Tsu City Industrial and Sports Center and take a shuttle bus to the venue area.
- Parking
Parking at the Tsu City Industrial and Sports Center is free. The shuttle bus costs 240 yen for adults and 120 yen for children, one way.
Parking near the venues tends to fill up, so visitors are advised to use public transportation.
Source: 一日船長は､大河ドラマの藤堂高虎役の「佳久 創さん」に決定!! 2026津まつりの旬な情報届けます！ - 津の時間。（津市観光協会） / 津まつり | イベント | 観光三重(かんこうみえ)
Address Chuo, Tsu City
Dates and season
2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)
In 2026, the festival will run from October 9 (Friday) through Sunday the 11th, with a pre-festival event on the 9th.
On the 10th, there will be food and PR booths, performances of local performing arts and yosakoi, live music, and a mass dance.
The program for the 11th is expected to include the Tsu Festival Grand Parade, wasen dashi (traditional boat floats), and a gathering of local performing arts groups.
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 Mie Prefecture / Tsu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The venues are spread out across a wide area, mainly in the Daimon and Marunouchi districts, so it helps to check in advance where and when the events you want to see will take place.
Traffic restrictions are in place in the city during the festival, and parking near the venues is likely to fill up.
Crowds are expected, so allow plenty of time and consider walking or using public transportation or the shuttle bus.
Nearby attractions
Near the venues are sites such as Tsu Castle Ruins, Takayama Shrine, and Tsu Kannon Temple.
Tsu Castle Ruins is introduced as a nearby attraction, offering a chance to explore Tsu’s history alongside the festival.
For a taste of Tsu’s food culture, local specialties such as Tsu gyoza, eel, and Hachimitsu Man are also recommended.
ルーブル彫刻美術館
三重県津市の美術館
三重県立美術館
三重県津市にある公立美術館
三重県総合博物館
三重県津市にある公立博物館
石水博物館
三重県津市にある博物館
Origins and History of Tsu Festival
The Tsu Festival traces its origins to 1635, when the festival at Tsu Hachimangu Shrine was encouraged and supported.
Tsu Domain’s second lord, Todo Takatsugu, designated Hachimangu as Tsu’s main tutelary shrine and encouraged each neighborhood to hold its own festival, helping the event grow into a major celebration.
Despite interruptions and revivals due to war, local performing arts and newer community-participation events have been passed down.
Official information
Official information about the Tsu Festival is available on the festival’s official website.
You can check details of the 2026 festival, its venues, and events alongside information from the Tsu Festival Executive Committee and the Tsu City Tourism Association.
Tsu Festival at a Glance
The Tsu Festival is an autumn event rooted in the festival at Tsu Hachimangu Shrine, with Tojin Odori, Shagoma, lion dances, taiko drumming, mikoshi, and dashi bringing the streets to life.
There are also participatory performances such as Anotsu Yosakoi and food booths, with activities to enjoy across multiple venues.
The 2026 event was announced as scheduled to run from October 9 through the 11th.
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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