Shin-Nagata Jizo-bon 2026

Why You Should Visit

On the evening of August 23, dozens of small Jizo-bon gatherings light up at once across the southern half of Shin-Nagata. Neighbors clean and repaint the roadside Jizo statues, hang paper lanterns, lay out offerings, and hand sweets to children who come with a stick of incense. Nagata has more than 200 such statues — many were raised to mourn children who died in the old tenement blocks, and unlike other wards they survived the wartime air raids. Sites are scattered around shopping arcades, temple gates and pocket parks, most starting around 5pm. Simply walking from lantern to lantern shows the summer face of this working-class district.

Essentials

location

Across the southern Shin-Nagata area (roadside Jizo statues, shopping streets and temples in Komagabayashi, Shinyo and Nagata-minami)

period

August 23, 2026 (Sun)

Time

Varies by site (most start around 5pm; sweets end when they run out)

cost

Free to join.

Links

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

Walkable from Shin-Nagata Station (JR / subway) and Komagabayashi Station (subway Kaigan Line). Sites are spread out, and the ward asks visitors to come by public transport.

TICKETS / REGISTRATION

No sign-up needed. Just visit any site during its hours.

NOTE

Main sites in southern Shin-Nagata and start times (Aug 23)

Enmusubi Jizo, south of Asta Plaza East (near 5-3-1 Ohashi-cho) — from 5:00pm
Chie Jizo, south of Asta Kunizuka Bldg 1 (near 5-3 Udezuka-cho) — around 5pm
Honmachisuji shopping street (near 2-4 Kubo-cho) — from 6:00pm
Rokkenmichi 3-chome shopping street (near 3-5-10 Shoda-cho) — from 5:30pm
Nakayoshi Jizo, Ryozan-in (1-1-6 Kubo-cho) — 6:00–7:00pm
Tokuhon Shonin (near 1-2-2 Komagabayashi-cho) — around 5pm
East side of Kaisen-ji (2-8-6 Komagabayashi-cho) — around 5pm
Udezuka-do (4-5-8 Komagabayashi-cho) — around 5pm
In front of Komagabayashi nursery (5-8-6 Komagabayashi-cho) — around 5pm
Hiyoshi Pocket Park (near 5-4 Hiyoshi-cho) — from 5:00pm
Kagura-cho Keyaki Hiroba (5-2 Kagura-cho) — 5:00–6:30pm
Nishidai-ji (6-7-18 Kagura-cho) — from 5:00pm
Jizo-in (2-6 Kawanishi-dori) — from 6:00pm
Tatsue Jizo (near 3-38 Kawanishi-dori) — from 6:30pm

Good to know

Sweets are limited in number; many sites stop once they run out
They are handed to children who come to pray with a stick of incense
This is only part of the list published by Nagata Ward; other districts (Nakura, Maruyama-Hibari, Miyagawa, Goinoike, Mano) hold their own
One site runs a day earlier: Bo-o-ji Shopping Center (4-5-6 Bo-o-ji-cho), Sat Aug 22, 3:00–5:00pm

※Crowds are expected; the ward asks visitors to use public transport and to park only in coin lots.

※Sites and times may change. Check the Nagata Ward page for the latest.

FAQ

Do I need a reservation or a ticket?

Neither. Just come to any of the Jizo sites during its hours.

What time should I go?

It varies by site, but most in southern Shin-Nagata start between 5:00 and 6:30pm, and the lanterns look their best after dusk. Sweets are limited and some sites finish once they run out.

Can I bring young children?

Yes — children are the centre of the observance, and the sweets are handed to children who come to pray. Most sites sit along streets or in shopping arcades, so visiting a few nearby ones works well.

Can I drive there?

Nagata Ward asks visitors to use public transport and, if driving, to park only in coin lots — the streets in front of the sites should be kept clear.

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