Natsutomoshi Yume Matsuri 2026 and the Hiraoka Lantern Rite

Why You Should Visit

A festival of light at the ichinomiya shrine of old Kawachi, right outside Kintetsu Hiraoka Station. Glowing paper umbrellas called kasa-botaru fill the grounds, and this year they appear in front of the main sanctuary for the first time as well as at the worship hall. The shrine's own lantern rite offers light to the deities, followed by an Etchu Owara Kaze-no-Bon dance. Seventeen vendors serve food and run festival stalls, alongside a wind-chime area, wire art and craft workshops. On the eve, 22 August, the illumination alone is switched on.

Programs

Timetable & Map

Participating Shops

Shop List & Map

The 17 vendors in the 2026 food and festival-stall area, as announced by the Higashiosaka tourism association. All of them trade on Sunday 23 August only — none are open on the 22nd, when the illumination alone runs. Last orders 20:00, or until sold out.

Essentials

location

Hiraoka Shrine, ichinomiya of Kawachi

period

August 22, 2026 (Sat) - August 23, 2026 (Sun)

Time

23 Aug 15:00–21:00 (lantern rite from 17:00, illumination from about 17:30); 22 Aug is a preview lighting, 17:30–21:00

cost

Free entry. Wind-chime prayer slips 1,000 yen, candle offering in front of the main sanctuary 300 yen (first 30 people who complete the survey), guided town walk 500 yen per person

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

Right outside Hiraoka Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line (local trains only; about 30 min from Osaka-Namba). By car it is about 10 min from the Mizuhai exit of the Hanshin Expressway, but no visitor parking or bicycle parking is available on the day — please come by public transport.

There are 1 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Hiraoka Shrine, ichinomiya of Kawachi, 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.

TICKETS / REGISTRATION

No booking needed for general entry, the illumination, the lantern rite or the dance. Only the guided walk requires advance application, closing 19 August, with 15 places per slot (running with two or more). Open to upper-primary age and above; primary and junior-high students must be accompanied.

NOTE

Highlights

Kasa-botaru glowing umbrellas, now extending to the main sanctuary front, with a new photo spot beside the saikan
A wind-chime area and a Higashiosaka manufacturing showcase
Wire art by Kagenui, with a spatial installation
Five craft workshops from the Higashiosaka Machihaku programme

Stamp rally

Four points across the site
Cards handed out at the city PR booth on the approach plaza, while stocks last
Coupons valid 24 August to 30 September

The eve, 22 August

17:30–21:00, illumination only — no food, stalls or workshops

Notes

No visitor parking or bicycle parking on the day
Food, stalls and workshops take last orders at 20:00 and end when sold out
May be cancelled or changed depending on weather and other circumstances

FAQ

What's on for the eve, 22 August?

On 22 August it is the illumination only, 17:30 to 21:00. Food, stalls and workshops run on the 23rd alone — so take the 22nd for a quiet look at the lights and the 23rd for the full programme.

Can I drive there?

No — there is no visitor parking or bicycle parking on the day. The shrine is right outside Kintetsu Hiraoka Station, so take the train; note only local services stop there.

Is it free?

Entry, the illumination and the lantern rite are all free. Paid items are the wind-chime prayer slip (1,000 yen), the candle offering (300 yen), the guided walk (500 yen) and whatever you eat and drink.

Calendar

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