Usuki’s summer Gion festival, where mikoshi and dashi travel through a historic town
Usuki Gion Festival
The 2026 edition of Usuki Gion Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/10 〜 2026/07/18Ended
- Season / frequency
- Mid-July
- Location
- Around Tsuji; between Yasaka Shrine and the (Kazoe)
- Area
- Oita Prefecture・Usuki City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 35 min–1 h 55 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Usuki Gion Festival features a grand procession centered on and , linking Yasaka Shrine and the Otabisho in Kazoe. Enjoy festival traditions passed down in Usuki amid its historic streets, including the Yari-furi spear dance and dashi music.
About Usuki Gion Festival
The Usuki Gion Festival is a Gion festival held mainly at Yasaka Shrine in Usuki City, Oita Prefecture.
Locally, it is also called “Gionsama” (Gyonsama) and is counted among Oita Prefecture’s 3 major Gion festivals.
A sacred procession centered on mikoshi and dashi travels between Yasaka Shrine and the Otabisho.
In 2008, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Oita Prefecture.
Source: 臼杵祇園まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The highlight is the large-scale sacred procession held during the outbound and return processions.
A procession of around 2,000 people, centered on mikoshi and dashi, winds through town.
The spear dancers leading the procession preserve the nanba walking style, in which the arm on the same side as the stepping leg is brought forward without twisting the upper body.
Look out for the dashi music and Usuki’s distinctive Yari-furi spear dance.
Source: 令和８年度 臼杵祇園まつり【7/10(金)～18(土)】 | 臼杵市観光協会
Usuki’s summer Gion festival, where mikoshi and dashi travel through a historic town
What to expect
The festival begins with the dashi departure. During the outbound procession, it travels from Yasaka Shrine to the Otabisho in Kazoe; during the return procession, it goes back from the Otabisho to Yasaka Shrine.
On the final day, the dashi are also returned.
During the outbound and return processions, the procession, including mikoshi and dashi, moves through town amid calls and cheers.
In 2026, Shinmachi and Hamamachi served as the dashi duty districts.
How to take part
The procession, centered on the mikoshi and dashi, is a local festival event carried out with the participation of its community bearers.
In 2026, Shinmachi and Hamamachi were listed as the dashi duty districts.
However, the published information does not specify whether general visitors may join the procession or operate the dashi, so it is best to plan primarily to watch.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Tsuji in Usuki City, and the area between Yasaka Shrine and the Otabisho (Kazoe).
- By car
It was announced that traffic restrictions were planned on some city roads during the 2026 festival period.
Source: 臼杵祇園まつり | 日本一の「おんせん県」大分県の観光情報公式サイト
Address Kazoe, Usuki City, Oita Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival was held from July 10 (Friday) through the 18th (Saturday).
The schedule indicated that the dashi departure would begin at 18:00 on July 10, the procession would run from 12:25 to 15:00 on July 12, the return procession from 14:30 to 17:00 on July 18, and the dashi return would begin at 18:00 that same day.
The outbound procession travels from Yasaka Shrine to the temporary shrine in Kazoe, while the return procession goes from the temporary shrine in Kazoe to Yasaka Shrine.
Source: イベント一覧 | 臼杵市役所
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 Oita Prefecture / Usuki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Traffic restrictions are imposed in line with the events along the roads around Tsuji, where the procession passes, and along the route from Yasaka Shrine to the Otabisho.
If traveling by car, be mindful of restricted roads and times, and allow plenty of time for your journey.
In 2026, restriction times were announced separately for the dashi departure, outbound procession, return procession, and dashi return.
As the outdoor events take place during a hot time of year, take precautions against the heat when watching the daytime procession.
Nearby attractions
臼杵市歴史資料館
大分県臼杵市にある博物館
野上弥生子文学記念館
大分県臼杵市にある文学記念館
Origins and History of Usuki Gion Festival
The festival is said to have originated in 1643, when Nobumichi Inaba, the 4th lord of the Usuki Domain, built a temporary shrine at the Baba in Kazoe and held a sacred procession.
From 1652, the sacred procession from Yasaka Shrine to the temporary shrine in Kazoe became a regular event.
In 1697, dashi were added, and nerimono processions began, featuring mobile stages for performances such as kabuki.
The dashi tradition has been passed down to the present day.
Source: 祇園まつり | 臼杵市役所
Official information
You can check the 2026 schedule, venues, event times, and traffic restrictions in the event information from the Usuki City Tourism Association.
The official Oita Prefecture tourism website also lists the dates and locations.
The Usuki Gion Festival Executive Committee is the point of contact, with the Usuki Chamber of Commerce and Industry serving as its contact office.
Usuki Gion Festival at a Glance
The Usuki Gion Festival is a traditional Gion festival in Usuki City, centered on a sacred procession linking Yasaka Shrine and the Otabisho in Kazoe.
During the processions, when mikoshi and dashi move through town, you can see a procession of around 2,000 people and the Yari-furi spear dance.
In 2026, the festival was held from July 10 through the 18th, with the area around Tsuji and the route from Yasaka Shrine to the Otabisho as its main venues.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
