Ayabe Natsu-Akari 2026

Why You Should Visit

For five evenings, Ayabe Gunze Square fills with light installations. The opening night brings a lighting ceremony and a mini concert, with glowing paper lanterns for the first 150 visitors. Craft stalls using luminous materials and a glowing ring-toss for children rotate through the days, and the run closes on 15 August with the Ayabe Bon-Odori. The Ayabe dance is said to have been brought by the first local lord Takasue Kuki 350 years ago; around twenty groups circle the tower to the call of "yashitoko, yashitokose". Kitchen cars are on site throughout.

Programs

Timetable & Map

Essentials

location

Ayabe Gunze Square

period

August 11, 2026 (Tue) - August 15, 2026 (Sat)

Time

点灯時間 19:00–21:00（催しは17:00〜18:00開始の日もあります）

cost

Free entry

Links

Official Website

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

About 10 min on foot from the north exit of JR Ayabe Station. By car it is about 5 min from the Ayabe interchange, with parking for 53 cars and 2 coaches.

NOTE

Throughout

Light installations across the square
Kitchen cars on site
The Ayabe specialty hall stays open until 21:00

Inquiries

Ayabe Tourism Association, 0773-42-9550

*All programmes may be cancelled in rain.

*The Ayabe Minazuki Matsuri fireworks in June is a different event.

FAQ

When is the bon-odori?

On the final day, 15 August. It runs inside the overall 19:00–21:00 window; no separate start time is announced.

Is it good with children?

The first night hands glowing lanterns to the first 150 visitors, the 12th has a luminous craft stall and the 14th a glowing ring-toss for children. There is parking, so driving is easy.

Calendar

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