An autumn festival held every year from October 5 to 7 in neighborhoods across Matsuyama, celebrating the joy of a bountiful harvest. It is known for the hachiawase, in which mikoshi portable shrines are rammed into each other fiercely to chants of “Motekoi, motekoi,” earning them the name kenka mikoshi (fighting mikoshi). The hachiawase in front of Dogo Onsen Station is especially famous, and watching is free.
PRKlookMatsuyama & Dogo Shirasagi PackA set including Matsuyama Castle (round-trip ropeway or chairlift) and a Dogo Onsen bathing ticketView on KlookPRKlookPrivate Charter Day Tour from MatsuyamaA 7-hour private tour visiting Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama Castle and more, tailored to your preferencesView on KlookThe hachiawase, with the young men guarding each mikoshi pushing against each other with all their might, is breathtaking. The miyadashi and miyaire (return to the shrine) are also highlights; as the large mikoshi make their way one after another up the 135 steep stone steps of Isaniwa Shrine, the bearers’ heat is so intense the mikoshi seem to fog over.
Early morning of October 7. The large mikoshi are carried out of Isaniwa Shrine and Yu Shrine. 2026 information from the Ehime Tourism and Products Association
October 7. The eight large mikoshi of the eight neighborhoods each clash twice, for a total of 8 hachiawase. 2026 information from the Ehime Tourism and Products Association
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
PRKlookMatsuyama & Dogo Shirasagi PackA set including Matsuyama Castle (round-trip ropeway or chairlift) and a Dogo Onsen bathing ticketView on KlookPRKlookPrivate Charter Day Tour from MatsuyamaA 7-hour private tour visiting Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama Castle and more, tailored to your preferencesView on KlookThe hachiawase is early in the morning of the 7th, so staying around Dogo Onsen the night before makes it easier to watch. Early booking is recommended during the festival
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PR8.6Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
ZooChugoku & Shikoku ・ Tobe, Ehime
An Ehime Prefecture-run zoo in Tobe, about 20 minutes by car from central Matsuyama. Under the concept A Zoo Full of Everyone's Smiles, it keeps many animals, including polar bears, African elephants, Malayan tapirs, sea lions, and flamingos. Admission is an affordable ¥600 for adults.
April
May
July–AugustChugoku & Shikoku ・ Hiroshima & Miyajima
Every year on the 17th day of the 6th lunar month (between July and early August on the modern calendar, depending on the year)
August
AugustChugoku & Shikoku ・ Tottori
Every year August 13–15 (eve festival on the 13th, mass umbrella dance on the 14th, Civic Summer Fireworks Festival on the 15th)
AugustChugoku & Shikoku ・ Kochi & Shimanto
Every year August 9–12 (eve festival on the 9th, main festival on the 10th and 11th, national contest and after-party on the 12th)
OctoberChugoku & Shikoku ・ Takamatsu, Naoshima & Shodoshima
Every year October 9–11 (mikoshi procession on the night of the 10th, return procession on the night of the 11th)
2026 (Reiwa 8): Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 11 (Sun); mikoshi procession from 21:00 on the 10th
NovemberChugoku & Shikoku ・ Izumo & Matsue
Every year on the 10th to 17th days of the 10th lunar month (varies by year on the modern calendar, usually around November)
2026: Nov 18 (Wed) Kamimukaesai – Nov 25 (Wed) Karasadesai
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
