2018 Summer Festivals in Shimane
Rows of food stalls, music performances and fireworks lighting up the night sky is how Japan celebrates summer. From July through August, summer festivals are held all over the country. And in Shimane, like many other areas in Japan, many people get together to enjoy traditional Japanese-style dancing, singing, fireworks and the delicious festival foods. Some of the smaller festivals are mostly enjoyed by locals, and are recommended for those who really want to experience the traditional Japanese countryside.
East Area Central Area West Area Island Area
Summer Festival in Tamatsukuri Onsen
WHERE: Tamatsukuri Onsen Area (Tamayu-cho, Matsue City) [map]
WHEN: July 14th (sat)~ September 1st (sat) 2018 everyday from 8:15 p.m. ~
ABOUT : Tamatsukuri Onsen Area is well known for its long history and highly qualified onsen water. During the summer, while lanterns illuminate the riverside, visitors can enjoy night stalls and various stage events every night. There are night kids stalls offering mini games that children will love to play! Stage events differ every day. Two shows are shown every night – first show, starting at 8:15 pm featuring local artists, differs every day and second show, starting at 9 pm, showcases traditional performances (Yasugibushi or Izumo Kagura)!! Please stay a night here, take a walk along the riverside and enjoy Japanese summer night festival!
Nima-Goise Festival
WHERE : Around the Nima Sand Museum (Nima-cho, Oda City) [map]
WHEN : July 14th (sat) 2018 5:00 p.m. ~ *fireworks (8:30 p.m. ~) 2000 count
Tsuwano Gion Festival, Sagimai Ritual
WHERE : Yasaka Shrine and other spots around central Tsuwano
(Tsuwano Town, Kanoashi-Gun) [map]
WHEN : July 20th (fri) 2018 3:00 p.m. ~ 5:10 p.m.
July 27th (fri) 2018 3:00 p.m. ~ 5:20 p.m.
ABOUT : The Sagimai Ritual in Tsuwano is a ritual that has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property with 400 years of history. Wearing costumes that evoke herons, ritual dancers perform to music and drums at several spots around Tsuwano. Originating in Kyoto, Tsuwano is the only location in Japan where the Heron Dance has been continuously held for over 400 years. Performed every year on July 20th(during Yasaka Shrine’s Gion Matsuri) and 27th around Tsuwano town center and Yasaka Shrine.
Hirose Gion Festival
WHERE : Main Street in Hirose-chō (Hirose-cho, Yasugi City) [map]
WHEN : July 19th (thurs) ~ 21st (sat) 2018 *fireworks 7/21 (8:00 p.m. ~ 8:30 p.m.) 1600 count
ABOUT : One of the three biggest festivals in Shimane, the Gion Matsuri takes place every year on July 21st. A Mikoshi (portable shrine) and Kanto (lantern pole with a lot of lanterns) parade through the town during the night.
Kisuki Summer Festival
WHERE : Hii-River riverbed (Kisuki-cho, Unnan City) [map]
WHEN : July 20th (fri) 2018 *fireworks (8:00 p.m.) 2000 count
ABOUT : Boasting over two hundred years of history, the festival is host to street stalls that line the main street while Kagura (a traditional dance ritual) is performed. Visitors can enjoy about 2,000 fireworks from a distance of just 120m. Kagura starts at 8:30 p.m.
Shirakata Tenmangu Summer Festival
WHERE : Matsue Castle ~ Shirakata Tenmangu Shrine area (Matsue City) [map]
WHEN : July 24th (tues) 5 p.m. ~ , 25th (wed) ~ 2018
ABOUT : A lot of night stalls stand on the both sides of the main street that leads to Shirakata Tenmangu Shrine. Group of locals bring portable shrines called mikoshi through the main street accompanied by resounding drums and folk music with cheerful and powerful enthusiasm in the heated summer evening air. You can totally soak yourself up in and enjoy the mood of Japanese summer festival!
Mitoya Tenmangu Shrine Summer Festival
WHERE : Mitoya River Bank (Mitoya-cho, Unnan City) [map]
WHEN : July 25th (wed) 2018 *fireworks (8:00 p.m. ~) 2000 count
Eena Matsuri Kawamoto Gonokawa River Fireworks Display
WHERE : Kawamoto Main Street (Kawamoto Town, Ochi-Gun) [map]
WHEN : July 28th (sat) 2018 *fireworks (8:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m.) 2500 count
‘Koi Koi Koi’ Festival in Tsuwano
WHERE : Roadside Station Nagomi-no-Sato (Tsuwano Town, Kanoashi-Gun) [map]
WHEN : July 28th (sat) 2018 4:00 p.m. ~
ABOUT : This festival allows guests to traditional drumming and modern performances in the historic town of Tsuwano.
Kirara Taki Summer Festival
WHERE : Kirara Beach at Kirara Taki Roadside Station (Taki-cho, Izumo City) [map]
WHEN : July 29th (sun) 2018 4:00 p.m. ~ *fireworks
ABOUT : This event takes place on a beautiful beach! It is recommended to come here during the day while the sun is up and have fun at the beach swimming in the shining clear water or having a walk with a great ocean view. The sunset seen from the beach is a must see. At night enjoy the fireworks and night events!
Matsue Suigo-sai Festival
WHERE : Lake Shinji, near the Matsue City Office (Matsue City) [map]
WHEN : August 3rd (fri) 2018 6:00 p.m. ~
August 4th (sat) 2018 1:00 p.m. ~ *fireworks (8:00 p.m. ~) 10000 count
August 5th (sun) 2018 11:00 a.m. ~
ABOUT : One of the biggest festivals in San-in, Matsue Suigo-sai Festival takes place for three days in Matsue this year. Incredible 10 thousand fireworks are to be set off above the Lake Shinji, which reflects the beautiful sparks of fireworks on its glossy surface. Matsue is known as the water city and The Lake Shinji represents it.
*Due to the expected amount of traffic, please use public transportation. If you plan on coming by car please park in the designated parking areas.
Tenryo-san Festival
WHEN : August 4th (sat) 2018 *fireworks (8:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m.) 5000-10000 count
WHERE : Kute Port (Oda City) [map]
*
WHEN : August 5th (sun) 2018
WHERE : near JR Odashi Station (Oda City) [map]
*
WHEN : August 26th (sat) 2018
WHERE : Omori-cho (Oda City) [map]
ABOUT : Tenryo-san festival takes place in 3 days at 3 different venues. On August 4th, more than 5,000 beautiful fireworks are set off at Kute Port. On August 6th, you can enjoy many local folk performance such as Tenryo Dancing, Tenryo Drums and Iwami Kagura etc. around JR Oda-shi Station. Lastly, on the 27th, people parade in traditional costumes along the historic town of Omori, in the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine World Heritage Site!
Lake Jinzai Fireworks Festival
WHERE : around Lake Jinzai & Kohan no Onsen-yado Kunibiki (Koryo-cho, Izumo City) [map]
WHEN : August 4th (sat) 2018 *fireworks (8:30 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m.) 2500 count
Masuda Suigo-sai Festival
WHERE : Takatsu River Bank (Masuda City) [map]
WHEN : August 4th (sat) 2018 6:00 p.m. ~ *fireworks (8:00 p.m. ~) 3000 count
Hamakko Summer Festival
WHERE : Hamada Port (Hamada City) [map]
WHEN : August 4th (sat) 2018 4:00 p.m. ~ *fireworks (8:30 p.m. ~ 9:15 p.m.) 5000 count
Yunotsu Onsen Summer Festival
WHERE : Yunotsu Port (Oda City) [map]
WHEN : August 11th (sat) 2018 5:00 p.m. ~ *fireworks (7:50 p.m. ~ 8:20 p.m.) 1000 count
ABOUT : Fireworks are displayed over Japan Sea and you will enjoy the dynamic view of beautiful fireworks at close! Awe-taking Kagura performances, local food stalls are also something that you can really enjoy!
Daito Tanabata (Star) Festival
WHERE : Daito Shopping Street (Daito-cho, Unnan City) [map]
WHEN : August 6th (sun) 2018 *fireworks (8:30 p.m. ~) 1500 count
ABOUT : This traditional festival has more than 400 years of history. Bamboo are beautifully decorated with wishing papers, as well as the unique amazing floats with lanterns are a must-see!
Izumo Shinwa (Japanese Myth) Festival
WHERE : Kunibiki-chuou Street (Imaichicho, Izumo City),
Kandachi River Bank Park (Otsu, Izumo City) [map]
WHEN : August 11th (sat) 2018 5:00 p.m. ~ 8:30 p.m.
*fireworks 8000 count, August 12th (sun) 2017 8:00 p.m. ~ 8:50 p.m.
ABOUT : This festival take places over 2 days. Izumo Bon Odori folk dancing on 11th and breathtaking 8,000 fireworks display at the Hiikawa riverbank on 12th . Hiikawa River is the setting of one of the Japanese myths, ‘Yamata-no-orochi’. There will also be many night stalls set up too.
Yasugi Tsuki-no-wa Festival
WHERE : Main street in Yasugi [map] & Yasugi Port (Yasugi City) [map]
WHEN : August 14th (tues) ~ 17th (fri) 2018
*8/14 fireworks (8:00 p.m. ~ 8:45 p.m.) 5000 count
*Japanese festival float parade every night starting at 7:30 p.m. ~ 2:00 a.m.
Tsuwano Nichihara Ayu Summer Festival
WHERE : Takatsugawa River Fisheries Cooperative Nichihara Office (Tsuwano Town, Kanoashi-Gun) [map]
WHEN : August 15th (wed) 2018 6:00 p.m. ~ *fireworks (8:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m.) 2500 count
Gonokawa River Festival
WHERE : Around JR Gotsu Station, Gonokawa River (Gotsu City) [map]
WHEN : August 16th (thurs) 2018 10:00 a.m. ~
*fireworks (8:10 p.m. ~) 6000 count + 4000 lanterns on the river
Kin Nya Monya Festival
WHERE : Hishiura Port (Ama Town, Oki-Gun) [map]
WHEN : August 25th (sat) 2018 1:20 p.m. ~
*parade (6:00 p.m. ~); fireworks (7:30 p.m. ~) 2400 count
