Usuki Hachiman Shrine Lantern Festival 2026

Dates & time: October 21, 2026 (Wed) - October 22, 2026 (Thu) Oct 21 (Wed) Eve: lantern clash from around 19:00, mikoshi procession from around 22:00 / Oct 22 (Thu) Main day: around 9:00–20:00 (times may shift)
cost: Free to watch
Venue & access: Usuki Hachiman Shrine and the otabisho area (Aboshi, Himeji) About 15 minutes' walk north from Sanyo Aboshi Station (Sanyo Electric Railway). Temporary parking is very limited; the shrine asks visitors to use public transport.

Calendar

Add it to your calendar so you can check back on it later.

We hope it gives you a reason to head out together.

Why You Should Visit

The autumn festival of Usuki Hachiman Shrine in Aboshi, Himeji, held every October 21–22. One of the largest of the Banshu autumn festivals, it is nicknamed the Lantern Festival and brings out 18 yatai floats, four danjiri carts, a lion-dance cart and three mikoshi. The highlight is the eve-night lantern clash in front of the tower gate, where seven villages smash tall paper lanterns against one another. On the main day, floats are hoisted with shouts of 'Chosa!' at the otabisho, followed by lion dances and danjiri performances before the whole procession returns to the shrine. A Hyogo Prefecture designated intangible folk cultural property.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

What comes out

3 mikoshi
18 yatai floats (18 villages)
4 danjiri carts (about 3.5 t each)
1 lion-dance cart with a rising roof that rotates 90 degrees

Traffic control & parking (2026)

Pedestrian-only roads around the shrine: Oct 21 15:00–22:00, Oct 22 9:00–24:00
Sections open only to route buses: Oct 21 15:00–22:00, Oct 22 8:30–24:00
Temporary parking: Kaichi-honmachi Park, Hazama Park, Yakegasaki Park, Teramae Park and JA (near Kyokuyo Elementary School). Spaces are limited and the shrine asks visitors to use public transport
Bicycle parking: Kaichi Park, north of the otabisho (Tsuda Milk), the park south of the otabisho, along the Miyauchi River bank, etc. No bicycle parking in front of the main gate on both days

Visitor notes

Grounds and streets get extremely crowded; strollers are dangerous and cannot be left at the shrine office
Children get lost every year; keep them close

Yatai order (2026)

Tai, Miyada, Kumami, Yoro, Nagamatsu, Oeshima, Hiramatsu, Kibi, Tenma, Nishidoi, Tsuichiba, Sakanoue, Itoi, Takata, Waku, Fukui, Sakade, Tsuichiba-kita

* Times shift. The official map showing where the floats meet, the traffic restrictions and temporary parking is on the shrine's 2026 festival page.

Events Festivals History Heritage Culture Art Free Cheap Night View

出典: 魚吹八幡神社公式サイト（令和8年秋季例祭・提灯まつり案内）／姫路市文化財課

Kobe · Gluten-free

Events

Where to go next

View Recommended Events →

10/25

Himeji International Exchange Festival

Otemae Park, Himeji

11/1

Mino Kofun Festival

Mino Kofun Group Wako Park

10/17 - 11/8

Himeji Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition

Sannomaru Square, Himeji Castle (free area)

11/1

Aboshi Nursery School 75th Anniversary Festival

Aboshi Nursery School

11/3 - 11/9

Mirokuji Temple Hotei Festival & Autumn Special Viewing

Tsuhozan Mirokuji Temple, Yumesaki-cho, Himeji

Next 11/7 +9 more

Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks 2026–27 | Weekend Fireworks off Meriken Park

Meriken Park

Next 10/24 +9 more

EAT LOCAL KOBE Farmers Market

Suma Beach, south of JR Suma Station, Suma-ku, Kobe

10/10 - 11/30

Moomin × Kobe Port Tower: a part of KOBE

Kobe Port Tower and 20+ locations across Kobe

FAQ

When and where can I see the lantern clash?

On the eve, October 21, from around 19:00 in front of the shrine's tower gate and along the approach. Seven villages clash tall lanterns there, so the gate area gets especially packed.

Where is the best place to see the floats and danjiri on the main day?

In the morning the otabisho hosts the float hoisting, lion dance and danjiri performances. The procession returns to the shrine after midday, and in the evening the danjiri perform in front of the tower gate. A placement map is posted on the shrine's site each year.

Can I bring small children?

Yes, but the grounds and streets get very crowded and the shrine warns that strollers are dangerous (they cannot be left at the office). Children get lost every year, so keep hold of them.

Can I drive there?

The shrine car park is closed during the festival and temporary lots are very limited. Roads around the shrine are also closed, so the shrine asks visitors to come by public transport.