Sumoto Castle Festival (500th Anniversary) 2026

Dates & time: November 3, 2026 (Tue) 10:00〜15:00
Price & booking: Free (participation gift included) No advance registration. Each activity takes same-day sign-ups on a first-come basis; bringing the completed application form from the flyer speeds up check-in.
Venue & access: Around the Honmaru of Sumoto Castle Ruins, Mt. Mikuma By car: four free parking lots near the summit, including Sumoto Castle Ruins Parking (approx. 20 cars) and Umaya-ato Parking (approx. 10 cars); about 115 spaces in total.

There are 3 public restrooms within a 8-minute walk of Around the Honmaru of Sumoto Castle Ruins, Mt. Mikuma. 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

Sumoto Castle was built on Mt. Mikuma in 1526 by Ataka Haruoki, and 2026 marks its 500th year. Listed among the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles, it keeps rare "nobori-ishigaki" climbing stone walls. The 16th Sumoto Castle Festival takes place around the main enclosure on Culture Day, with a stamp rally, a rock-paper-scissors contest on the great stone stairs, samurai armor dressing, a warrior procession, a ceremonial castle entry by lord Wakisaka Yasuharu, and a rice-cake toss. Participation is free and includes a small gift, making it an easy family outing among the castle walls.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

Same-day sign-up capacity

Stamp rally: first 300 (prizes include new Awaji rice)
Great stone stairs rock-paper-scissors contest: first 50
Samurai armor dressing: 10 adults, 20 children
Warrior procession: 10 adults, 20 children (participants in their own armor are welcome)

Food

Café and food trucks

※Details are subject to change

History Heritage Family Free Cheap Anniversary Events Festivals

出典: 洲本城まつり実行委員会（淡路島観光協会掲載チラシ）

Kobe · Gluten-free

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FAQ

Is there a fee to take part?

Participation is free, and participants receive a small gift.

Do I need to book armor dressing or the procession?

No booking is needed. Same-day sign-ups open at 11:30 on a first-come basis.

Is there parking?

There are four free lots on the mountain: Umaya-ato (approx. 10), Sumoto Castle Ruins (approx. 20), Mikuma Ikoigaoka (approx. 50) and Mikumayama East Park (approx. 35). The keep platform is a 6 to 16 minute walk away.

Can I walk up the mountain?

Part of the trail is closed from Sep 12, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 for stone wall repairs, and the Honmaru rear gate area is off limits. The trails from the Hachioji Shrine side or the Mikumayama park side are open, as are the summit parking lots and the great stone stairs route.