Sakai Wabunka Festa (Japanese Culture Festival) 2026

Dates & time: November 15, 2026 (Sun) 10:00–16:00 (stargazing 17:00–18:30)
Price & booking: Free entry. Workshops ¥500–3,000; special seats in the main hall for the afternoon performance ¥1,000 (standing in the grounds is free). Workshops and the main-hall special seats for the afternoon performance take advance bookings from Thursday 1 October via the organiser's Instagram. If places remain you can join on the day without booking.
Venue & access: Houunji Temple About 15 min by bus bound for Mihara Ward Office from Nankai Koya Line Hatsushiba Station; the temple is right by the Imai-minami stop. Free parking for cars.

Calendar

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Why You Should Visit

A one-day Japanese culture festival held at Houunji, a temple in Mihara Ward, Sakai. Visitors can try kimono dressing, a tea ceremony, ikebana, calligraphy, ink painting and the shamisen, and watch performances by ballet dancer Emi Hariyama, calligrapher Kikyo and shamisen players Shinichiro Ishimura and Taku Uchidoi. The temple's Sanzenbutsu (Three Thousand Buddhas) in the main hall are specially opened to the public, and there is also a market, exhibitions, a stamp rally and local mascot characters. In the evening the day ends with stargazing in the temple grounds. A relaxed way to sample traditional Japanese arts in a temple setting.

Programs

Timetable & Map

Houunji Marche

Shop List & Map

Stalls along the temple corridor, as introduced on the organiser's Instagram.

NOTE

Also

Exhibition corner, stamp rally and mascot characters
Held for the second year running, supported by Sakai City's FY2026 arts and culture grant

※Enquiries: Sakai Wabunka Festa Executive Committee (Hara) 080-2452-0839 / Houunji 072-361-4419

Culture Art History Heritage Market Marche Family Events Festivals

出典: さかい和文化フェスタ Instagram

Kobe · Gluten-free

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FAQ

Do I need to book to join the workshops?

Workshops and some special seats are booked in advance, but you can join on the day if places remain.

What happens if it rains?

The evening stargazing is cancelled in rain. No rain policy has been announced for the daytime programme.

Can the Sanzenbutsu be seen at other times?

They are specially opened on the festival day from 10:30 to 12:30.