Samba de Bon Dance 2026 | The New Maiko Summer Festival at Maiko Park

Hyogo Prefectural Maiko Park (Central Plaza & West Lawn)

location
Hyogo Prefectural Maiko Park (Central Plaza & West Lawn)
period
August 23, 2026 (Sun)
Time
16:00〜21:00
cost
Free admission (park entry and stage viewing are free; pay at each stall for food and goods)
access
About 5 min south on foot from Maiko-Koen Station (Sanyo Electric Railway) or Maiko Station (JR). There are about 700 nearby parking spaces (¥200/hour) but they fill up at peak times, so public transport is recommended.

Why You Should Visit

A new summer festival for Maiko, taking over from the taiko-and-bon-odori 'Maiko Natsu Matsuri' that ended in 2025. Kobe samba team Feijão Preto joins in for a free live stage that mixes Japanese and Brazilian sounds, with everyone dancing to samba rhythms. It all happens on the lawn right beneath the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which lights up as the sun goes down. Night stalls, kitchen cars and festival-style game booths line the plaza, so you can simply eat and watch if dancing isn't your thing. Pets are welcome and the whole site is grass, ideal for a picnic sheet.

Essentials

location
Hyogo Prefectural Maiko Park (Central Plaza & West Lawn)
period
August 23, 2026 (Sun)
Time
16:00〜21:00
cost
Free admission (park entry and stage viewing are free; pay at each stall for food and goods)
access
About 5 min south on foot from Maiko-Koen Station (Sanyo Electric Railway) or Maiko Station (JR). There are about 700 nearby parking spaces (¥200/hour) but they fill up at peak times, so public transport is recommended.
REGISTRATION
No reservation required, come and go freely (stall and stage applications are on the official site)
NOTE
[Stage]
- Everyone dances around a truck stage. Ten acts (including professionals): samba team Feijão Preto, singers, dancers and idol groups
- A free live stage mixing Japanese and Brazilian sounds; no charge to watch

[Stalls]
- 30 kitchen cars and food tents
- 30 festival-game, hands-on and retail booths, including workshops
- A stamp rally with prizes from sponsors is also planned

[Venue]
- The Central Plaza is the main site; the West Lawn next door slopes slightly. Pets are welcome at both
- The best moment is after sunset, when the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge lights up behind the stage
- Maiko Marine Promenade, the Bridge Science Museum, Ijokaku and the former Muto Sanji Residence are all in the park if you arrive early

* Held in light rain. Any cancellation for severe weather is announced on the official Instagram (@kirara_marche).
* Performers and stalls may change.

出典: きららマルシェ公式サイト

FAQ

Is there an admission fee?
Both park entry and stage viewing are free. You only pay for food and goods at each stall.
Can I bring my dog?
Pets are allowed in both the Central Plaza and the West Lawn. It gets crowded at times, so keep your leash short.
Is it held if it rains?
It goes ahead in light rain. Any cancellation for severe weather is announced on the official Instagram (@kirara_marche). In wet conditions part of the lawn area may be closed off.
Is this different from the old Maiko Summer Festival?
The taiko-and-bon-odori Maiko Natsu Matsuri ended in 2025, and Samba de Bon Dance was planned with Maiko Park as its successor. The circle dance remains, but the rhythm is now samba.

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