38th Benkei Festival 2026｜10/2〜10/3 Access & Fees

Dates & time: October 2, 2026 (Fri) - October 3, 2026 (Sat) ・Fri 2 Oct: 18:30 – around 20:30
・Sat 3 Oct: 10:00–21:00 (Yosakoi final from 17:25, Benkei Geta Dance 15:00–15:50)
cost: No admission fee is listed on the official website
Venue & access: Tokei Shrine, Ogigahama and Odori street, Tanabe (Wakayama) Walk to the venues from JR Kii-Tanabe Station on the Kisei Line. On 3 Oct there are extra trains departing Kii-Tanabe at 21:07 (for Gobo and for Susami). By car, use the temporary car parks (Tanabe Daiichi Elementary School grounds and Mori Multipurpose Ground, 9:00–21:30 on 3 Oct, locked at 21:30). They fill up early, so the organisers ask visitors to use public transport.

Calendar

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Why You Should Visit

Tanabe's autumn festival honours Musashibo Benkei, the warrior-monk said to have come from the town. It is held on the first Friday and Saturday of October. On Friday evening, the grounds of Tokei Shrine host Benkei Densetsu, a stage drama about Benkei, Tanzo and the Kumano navy. On Saturday the festival spreads across the town: 35 teams compete in the Kishu Benkei Yosakoi dance, 15 teams parade down Odori street in the Benkei Geta Dance, and local producers set up stalls at Ogigahama. The Tanabe Fireworks Festival follows that night at Ogigahama, so you can see both in one day.

NOTE

Fri 2 October

Benkei Densetsu drama in the grounds of Tokei Shrine, 18:30 – around 20:30. A cockfight is staged partway through

Sat 3 October

Kishu Benkei Yosakoi: 35 teams dance at the Ogigahama, Parkside, Tokei Shrine and Aoi-dori stages, then parade along Odori street before the final at Ogigahama. Ogigahama from 10:20 (Kagayaki Contest from 11:25), Parkside from 10:15, Tokei Shrine from 12:05, Aoi-dori from 12:10. Odori street Yosakoi parade 16:10–17:00, finalists announced and top-10 final from 17:25, all-team Yosakoi dance from 20:20
Benkei Geta Dance (Odori street), 15:00–15:50. 15 teams parade in wooden geta, chanting "Sorya, untokosho!". Postponed to the next day if it rains
Local products market (Ogigahama plaza), 10:00–21:00, with shops from around Tanabe
Performance by the Benkei Oniwaka Taiko drummers (Ogigahama)
Benkei-sha shrine festival at Tokei Shrine from 10:00

Road closures on 3 October

Aoi-dori (Minato crossing – Aoi crossing) 12:00–14:30
Odori street (courthouse – Aoi crossing) 14:30–17:30
Miyaji-dori (Aoi crossing – Tokei Shrine signal) 14:30–17:30
Bicycles and motorbikes go to the temporary parking at the courthouse
Toyo Junior High School (17:00–21:30) and Takao Junior High School (17:00–22:00, with shuttle bus) also serve as temporary car parks

Same night

The Tanabe Fireworks Festival starts around 20:00 on 3 October at Ogigahama. It is a separate event from the Benkei Festival

※Enquiries: Benkei Festival Executive Committee (Tanabe Chamber of Commerce), 0739-22-5064

History Heritage Culture Art Family Full Day

出典: 弁慶まつり実行委員会

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FAQ

Is this the same event as the Tanabe Fireworks Festival?

No, they are separate. The Benkei Festival runs in town on 2 and 3 October, and the fireworks take place at Ogigahama on the night of the 3rd, so you can see the festival by day and the fireworks after dark.

What happens if it rains?

The Benkei Geta Dance moves to the following day if it rains. For the other events, check the official website on the day.

Can I drive there?

Temporary car parks are provided, but the organisers recommend coming by public transport. The venues are in central Tanabe, reached from JR Kii-Tanabe Station.