A traditional festival that brings color to Uwajima’s summer, with mikoshi crossing the sea and river
Warei Taisai
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year on July 23 and the 24th / Every year
- Location
- Warei Shrine, Marunouchi Warei Shrine, Shinminato Port, Suka River
- Area
- Ehime Prefecture・Uwajima 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A summer festival in Uwajima that carries on the spirit worship of Warei Shrine, with crossing the sea and river. The program includes a children’s parade, Iyo , a sea procession, and hashirikomi.
About Warei Taisai
Warei Taisai is a summer festival held every year on July 23 and the 24th at Warei Shrine in Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture.
At Warei Shrine, which enshrines Yamaga Seibei, the festival is held in accordance with spirit worship that seeks to appease the spirits of those who died bearing resentment.
The rites and local offerings continue through events such as the and yoimiyasai, children’s parade, mikoshi procession, sea procession, and hashirikomi.
It has been passed down in Uwajima as a traditional event for more than 300 years.
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the mikoshi procession known as hashirikomi: after returning from the sea procession, the mikoshi travel upstream along the Suka River, illuminated by bonfires.
The mikoshi race around the sacred bamboo pole in the river, while the bearers compete to grab the attached to its tip.
At sea, 6 gozabune flying large fishing flags carry the mikoshi around the bay, with rites taking place on the water at night.
The children’s chigo parade is also an important part of the festival.
A traditional festival that brings color to Uwajima’s summer, with mikoshi crossing the sea and river
What to expect
On July 23, the reisai and yoimiyasai are held; after the rites at the reisai, Iyo kagura is performed as an offering.
On the 24th, events begin in the afternoon with a children’s parade, followed in the evening by the procession of 3 mikoshi toward the .
After that, the otabisho festival is held at Marunouchi Warei Shrine, followed by the sea procession from Shinminato Port and then the nighttime hashirikomi.
The festival unfolds in sequence through rites, parades, mikoshi, boats, and riverside offerings.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Events are held mainly at Warei Shrine, as well as at Marunouchi Warei Shrine, Shinminato Port, and the Suka River.
Event venue 愛媛県宇和島市 和霊神社
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
The festival is usually held on July 23 and the 24th.
On the 23rd, the reisai and Yoimiya Festival are held. On the 24th, the children’s procession, mikoshi departure, otabisho festival, maritime procession, and Hashirikomi take place.
Accommodation and hotels PR
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Tips for your visit
The events take place at several locations, moving from Warei Shrine to Marunouchi Warei Shrine, Shin-naikō Port, and the Suka River.
The maritime procession and Hashirikomi on the 24th are nighttime events. Hashirikomi is scheduled to begin at around 8:50 p.m.
Since each event takes place at a different venue, check the locations and times for the parts you want to see before heading out.
Nearby attractions
和霊神社
愛媛県宇和島市和霊町に鎮座する神社
天赦園
愛媛県宇和島市にある日本庭園
宇和島城
愛媛県の城
写真：Original uploader was Vickerman625 at en.wikipedia / Public domain
Photo source ·
宇和島市立伊達博物館
愛媛県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：京浜にけ at Japanese Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
宇和島市立歴史資料館
愛媛県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
Origins and History of Warei Taisai
Warei Taisai has continued against the backdrop of spirit worship associated with Yamaga Seibei, enshrined at Warei Shrine.
The festival is said to have begun in 1702, during the rule of Uwajima Domain lord Date Munetada, when his eldest son, Date Hyougorō Munechika, and others dedicated 3 mikoshi to Warei Shrine and began the sacred procession.
The sea procession, in which mikoshi cross the sea and travel upstream along the river toward the shrine, continues to be part of the festival today.
Source: 和霊大祭 - Wikipedia
Official information
Details of the Warei Taisai program are provided on the official Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival website.
You can check the times and details for the reisai, yoimiyasai, children’s parade, mikoshi procession, otabisho festival, sea procession, and hashirikomi.
Warei Taisai at a Glance
Warei Taisai is a traditional event with a history of more than 300 years, held every year on July 23 and the 24th at Warei Shrine in Uwajima.
Highlights include the procession of 3 mikoshi, a children’s parade, a sea procession aboard 6 gozabune, and the hashirikomi held amid bonfires.
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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