A traditional autumn festival where mikoshi and dashi travel through Mito’s Shimoichi district
Yoshida Shrine’s autumn festival
The 2026 edition of Yoshida Shrine’s autumn festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/10/16 〜 2026/10/18Ended
- Season / frequency
- 3 days from Friday through Sunday around October 15 / Every year
- Location
- Yoshida Shrine and surrounding area
- Area
- Ibaraki Prefecture・Mito City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 10 min–1 h 30 min · limited express)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
- 2026/11/14
Yoshida Shrine’s autumn festival is a Mito City festival comprising the ritual observances of the , a night festival, and the Shinkō-sai and -sai, during which the travels through the neighborhoods. 7 and the Sasara from Daimachi join the procession, continuing a tradition in Mito’s Shimoichi district. The festival is firmly rooted in the local community as a municipally designated cultural property.
About Yoshida Shrine’s autumn festival
Yoshida Shrine’s autumn festival is held over 3 days, from Friday through Sunday around October 15.
The first day centers on the reisai ritual and night festival. On the second and third days, the is placed in the mikoshi, which travels through the ujiko neighborhoods before returning to the shrine as part of the Shinkō-sai and Kangyō-sai.
7 dashi and the Sasara from Daimachi also join the , continuing a tradition among the residents of Mito’s Shimoichi district.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the Shinkō-sai and Kangyō-sai, during which the mikoshi carrying the shintai travels through the ujiko neighborhoods, and the 7 dashi that join the procession.
During the night festival, dashi gather in the for hayashi performances.
The Shinkō-sai and Kangyō-sai also include elements of “isode” and “hamakudari,” distinctive features of shinji found along Ibaraki’s Pacific coast.
A traditional autumn festival where mikoshi and dashi travel through Mito’s Shimoichi district
What to expect
According to the 2026 event information, the first day began with the reisai ritual at the shrine’s haiden, followed in the evening by 7 dashi performing hayashi in the shrine grounds.
On the second day, the mikoshi is carried from the shrine through the neighborhood. On the third day, after the mikoshi has traveled through the neighborhood, it enters the shrine, where 7 dashi are waiting.
The shrine entry was scheduled for around 9 p.m.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Yoshida Shrine and surrounding area (3193-2 Miyauchi-cho, Mito City)
- Parking
In 2026, temporary parking was provided at Mito Municipal Third Junior High School.
October 17 (Sat) 1:30 p.m.–10 p.m. / October 18 (Sun) 4 p.m.–10 p.m.
Address 3193-2 Miyauchi-cho, Mito City
Dates and season
2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)
October 16, 2026 (Fri)
10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.: Reisai
6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.: Night festival
October 17, 2026 (Sat)
From 9 a.m.: Shinkō-sai
October 18, 2026 (Sun)
From 4:30 p.m.: Kangyō-sai.
The shrine entry is around 9 p.m.
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 Ibaraki Prefecture / Mito City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
According to the 2026 event information, traffic restrictions were scheduled to be in effect at certain times.
Visitors are asked not to look down at the mikoshi from above.
The temporary parking lot’s hours vary by day, so check the times for the day you plan to use it.
Nearby attractions
偕楽園
茨城県水戸市にある日本庭園
千波公園
水戸市の公園
常磐神社
茨城県水戸市にある神社
Kodokan
水戸藩の藩校
徳川ミュージアム
茨城県水戸市にある博物館
水戸市植物公園
茨城県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
水戸東照宮
茨城県水戸市にある神社
茨城県立歴史館
茨城県水戸市にある博物館
茨城県護国神社
茨城県水戸市の偕楽園桜山にある神社
茨城県近代美術館
茨城県水戸市にある美術館
Origins and History of Yoshida Shrine’s autumn festival
Records from the late Edo period describe it as the “Yoshida Shrine Festival,” “Yoshida Festival,” and “Yoshida Myōjin Festival,” held every year on September 15.
It has been held over a long period, except for several years during World War II.
Yoshida Shrine enshrines Yamato Takeru as its deity. It was ranked among the Myōjin-taisha in the “Engishiki” and is also known as the “Third Shrine of Hitachi Province.”
The autumn festival was designated a Mito City cultural property in Heisei 28.
Official information
The Yoshida Shrine official website provides details such as the dates of the autumn festival and the routes for the Shinkō-sai and Kangyō-sai processions.
An explanation of the festival’s cultural heritage status is also available on the Mito City website.
Yoshida Shrine’s autumn festival at a Glance
Yoshida Shrine’s autumn festival is rooted in Mito’s Shimoichi district and takes place over 3 days, featuring the reisai ritual, a night festival, and the Shinkō-sai and Kangyō-sai, during which the mikoshi travels through the neighborhood.
7 dashi and the Sasara from Daimachi join the procession, and hayashi groups perform in a musical competition during the night festival.
The festival, recorded in documents from the late Edo period, has been passed down over a long period except for several years during wartime, and was designated a Mito City cultural property in Heisei 28.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/14
