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Event Guide · Chubu & Hokuriku

Inuyama Matsuri

AprilNagoya
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Overview

Overview

The annual festival of Haritsuna Shrine, said to have begun in 1635, held every year on the first Saturday and Sunday of April. Thirteen three-tiered yama floats carrying karakuri mechanical puppets parade through the castle town. The ‘Yama float events of the Inuyama Festival’ are designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

When
Usually the first Saturday and Sunday of April (Saturday is the Shigaku-sai, Sunday the Honraku-sai)
Venue
In front of Haritsuna Shrine, Inuyama Castle Front Plaza and other spots in Inuyama’s castle town (Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture)
Official website
https://inuyama.gr.jp/event/detail/1/
Highlights

Highlights

Each of the 13 floats carries elaborate karakuri puppets with a different performance, dedicated one after another in front of Haritsuna Shrine. At night, candles are lit in the floats’ lanterns, and the night floats moving through the castle town in cherry blossom season are especially magical.

Times

Times

Shigaku-sai: floats depart8:00–

The 13 floats leave their storehouses and parade through the castle town. In 2026, Saturday April 4. Official information from the Inuyama City Tourist Association

Shigaku-sai: floats gather at Inuyama Castle Front Plaza13:20

The 13 floats gather near Inuyama Castle Front Plaza, and from 13:45 some neighborhoods perform their karakuri. Official information for 2026

Shigaku-sai: night floats17:00–21:45

Lanterns are lit from 17:00 and the floats set off in turn, returning to their neighborhoods at 21:45. Official information for 2026

Honraku-sai: karakuri performances dedicated to the shrine9:20–

From 9:00 the floats gather in front of Haritsuna Shrine and take turns dedicating karakuri puppet performances and processional displays. Sunday April 5 in 2026

Honraku-sai: night floats18:00–21:45

Lanterns are lit in Tomachi and Yosakamachi, and floats return to their neighborhoods at 21:45. Official information for 2026

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓To see all 13 floats together, go to the Inuyama Castle Front Plaza area around 13:20 on the Shigaku-sai (Saturday) (2026)
  • ✓To take a good look at the karakuri puppets, go on the morning of the Honraku-sai (Sunday). They are dedicated in turn in front of Haritsuna Shrine from 9:20 (2026)
  • ✓Night floats start at 17:00 on Saturday and 18:00 on Sunday (2026). To see both day and night events, allow plenty of time in the castle town
  • ✓Parking around the venue fills up from early morning, so visitors are asked to use Meitetsu trains
  • ✓Even outside the festival period, you can see floats and karakuri at exhibition facilities in the castle town
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Inuyama Station (Meitetsu Inuyama Line and others)About 20 min on foot from the West Exit to Inuyama Castle Front PlazaNearest station to the main venue
From major stations
  • Meitetsu Nagoya Station: Meitetsu Limited Express or μSKY to Inuyama Station (About 25 min)
Getting back
  • Inuyama Station gets crowded around 21:45, when the night floats end, so shift your return a little
  • Traffic restrictions are in place on festival days, and some places are closed to passage while floats are on the move
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
The Inuyama Castle Front Plaza area on the afternoon of the Shigaku-sai (Saturday), and the night floats on both days
Quieter times
Early morning of the Honraku-sai (Sunday)
Time needed
Events continue from 8:00 to around 21:45 on both days (2026). If you focus on the highlights, half a day to a full day
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
Nagoya’s April normals are a high of 20.1°C and a low of 9.7°C. Evenings for watching the night floats get chilly, so bring a jacket
What to wear
A spring jacket, plus an extra layer for the evening. You’ll walk a lot in the castle town, so wear comfortable shoes
Rain, snow & typhoons
Check same-day official announcements on whether floats parade in rain
Where to check for cancellations
Inuyama City Tourist Association (0568-61-6000), Inuyama tourist information (https://inuyama.gr.jp/)
☁ Chubu & Hokuriku weather in April →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Do not block the floats’ route. Follow staff instructions
  • !Do not touch the floats or karakuri puppets
  • !At Haritsuna Shrine, bow once before the torii gate and avoid walking down the center of the approach
  • !Take your trash home, or sort it and put it in the designated places
  • !Refrain from using tripods and selfie sticks in crowds
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Toilets in the castle town get crowded, so use the ones at the station or elsewhere early
Lockers & luggage
It’s best to leave large luggage at your hotel or a station in Nagoya before coming
Paying at food stalls
Some street stalls may be cash only, so bring cash as well
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs around Inuyama Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
The castle town gets crowded, so allow extra time when getting around with a wheelchair or stroller
Food

Food

Local favorites
Dengaku (miso-glazed skewers)Gohei-mochi (grilled rice skewers)Street snacks in the castle town
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare, so it helps to look up nearby restaurants in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Accommodation around Inuyama is limited, so staying in Nagoya and making a day trip by train is convenient

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Inuyama MatsuriPR

PRSee more places to stay near Inuyama Matsuri on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

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☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
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Events

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January–February

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June

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Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-10-02

PRKlookInuyama Castle, Museum Meiji-mura & Meitetsu Train Combo TicketAn e-ticket combining Meitetsu train rides from Nagoya with admission to Inuyama Castle and Meiji-muraView