Hoko Matsuri 2026｜10/11(Sun) Access & Fees

Dates & time: October 11, 2026 (Sun) The procession leaves Hokoku Shrine around midday
cost: No fee listed (street procession)
Venue & access: Around Hokoku Shrine, Nagahama (Shiga) Hokoku Shrine is a 5-minute walk from JR Nagahama Station (Hokuriku Line). By car, 15 minutes from Nagahama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway; use paid car parks.

There are 3 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Around Hokoku Shrine, Nagahama (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

The festival of Hokoku Shrine, which honours Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warlord who laid out Nagahama's castle town. Recreating his triumphant return from the Battle of Shizugatake, a samurai procession — with Hideyoshi and his famed Seven Spears of Shizugatake — and a children's procession parade through town. The column leaves the shrine around midday, walks to Nagahama Hachimangu and returns. At street corners the warriors strike dramatic poses, and rice cakes are thrown to the crowd along the way and at the finish. The shrine is about five minutes' walk from JR Nagahama Station, so it fits easily into a stroll around the old town.

NOTE

Procession

A samurai procession featuring Hideyoshi and the Seven Spears of Shizugatake, followed by a children's procession
Leaves Hokoku Shrine, walks to Nagahama Hachimangu and returns to the shrine
The warriors strike poses at street corners along the way
The route changes every other year

Rice-cake throwing

Held partway through and at the end, at the Nagahama Hikiyama Museum plaza and Hokoku Shrine

The Seven Spears

In 1583, at Shizugatake between Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo, Hashiba (later Toyotomi) Hideyoshi defeated Shibata Katsuie. Seven young warriors who shone in the battle — Fukushima Masanori, Kato Kiyomasa, Kato Yoshiaki, Wakisaka Yasuharu, Hirano Nagayasu, Kasuya Taketomo and Katagiri Katsumoto — became known by this name

※Enquiries: Nagahama Shusse Festival Committee (Nagahama City Culture & Tourism Division), 0749-65-6521

History Heritage Culture Art Photo Spots Half Day

出典: 長浜出世まつり実行委員会

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FAQ

What time does the procession start?

It leaves Hokoku Shrine around midday. An exact start time has not been published, so arriving near the shrine a little early is a safe bet.

Which route does it take?

It goes from Hokoku Shrine to Nagahama Hachimangu and back. The exact route changes every other year.

Where is the rice-cake throwing?

Partway through at the Nagahama Hikiyama Museum plaza, and at the end at Hokoku Shrine.