Hachimanbori Matsuri 2026

Dates & time: October 10, 2026 (Sat) 9:00–21:00 (lighting ceremony from 16:45; lanterns lit 17:00–21:00)
Price & booking: No admission fee is listed (it is a walk-around festival). Lantern-making workshop ¥500; the bamboo-lantern workshop, forklift rides and rainbow-glasses workshop are free. Food and drink priced by each vendor The bamboo-lantern workshop gives priority to advance bookings (walk-ins welcome if space allows). Book with the Omihachiman Tourism Association on 0748-32-7003. Other activities need no booking.
Venue & access: Hachimanbori Canal area and Hakuunkan, Omihachiman (Shiga) About 10 minutes by Ohmi Railway bus from JR Omi-Hachiman Station (stop 6), or around 30 minutes on foot. Drivers can use the municipal Obata or Taga tourist car parks (¥500 for cars, free from 17:00). There is no park-and-ride bus.

There are 3 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Hachimanbori Canal area and Hakuunkan, Omihachiman (Shiga), and 4 public restrooms within 8 minutes. The map shows each with its walking time.

Facility data comes from OpenStreetMap. It does not include opening hours, fees or availability.

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Why You Should Visit

A one-day autumn festival along the Hachimanbori Canal and the old merchant quarter of Omihachiman, now in its 29th year. A lighting ceremony at Shinmachi-hama at 16:45 kicks off the evening, and from 17:00 to 21:00 about 4,000 lights glow along the canal and the old castle-town streets. By day there is a children's market and ride-on experiences at the Himure Hachimangu gate plaza, a bamboo-lantern workshop and small concerts dotted around town; in the evening, local restaurants run food stalls. A six-stop stamp rally leads you around the streets from midday into the night.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

Lights

The bamboo tower illumination on the canal runs 17:00–21:00 from Sat 26 September to Sat 10 October

Around town

Twilight concerts at five spots around town, centred on Wa-den plaza

Same day

Omihachiman Furusato Music Festival (Shinmachi-hama stage and other venues)

On the day

Hakuun-bashi bridge is one-way only 16:00–21:30
The last bus back leaves the Hachimanbori / Hachimanyama Ropeway stop at 20:30

※Enquiries: Omihachiman Tourism Association, 0748-32-7003

History Heritage Night View Photo Spots Market Marche Family

出典: 近江八幡観光物産協会

Kobe · Gluten-free

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FAQ

When is the best time to see the lights?

The lights are on from 17:00 to 21:00. A lighting ceremony starts at Shinmachi-hama at 16:45, so arriving a little before then lets you see them come on.

Is there anything for children?

Yes. From 10:30 to 15:30 the Himure Hachimangu gate plaza hosts a children's market and toy forklift rides, and there is a free bamboo-lantern workshop for primary-school children (10 places per session).

Can I drive there?

Yes — use the municipal Obata or Taga tourist car parks. Cars pay ¥500, and parking is free from 17:00. There is no park-and-ride bus.