The largest Shinto ritual of Itsukushima Shrine, said to have been started by Taira no Kiyomori, who built the shrine. It is a sea procession in which a gozabune boat carrying the mikoshi portable shrine crosses the water while kangen (court music) is played aboard at various spots, and it is counted among Japan’s three great boat festivals. It is held on the 17th day of the 6th month of the lunar calendar, so the date changes every year.
PRKlookHiroshima & Miyajima Full-Day Private Guided TourVisit Peace Memorial Park and Shukkeien Garden, then take the ferry to Miyajima’s Grand Torii and Itsukushima ShrineView on KlookPRKlookHave Fun in Hiroshima PassA pass that lets you choose 3 Hiroshima sights and experiences. Includes a discount coupon for the high-speed boat between Hiroshima Port and Miyajima PortView on KlookKangen music is played aboard the gozabune, made of three Japanese boats tied together, as it makes its way to Jigozen Shrine, Nagahama Shrine, Ohmoto Shrine, Marodo Shrine and others. The highlight is the elegant yet dynamic scene of the shrine buildings floating on the sea and the gozabune, evoking a picture scroll of the Heian period.
Thursday, July 30 in 2026. 2026 information from the Miyajima Tourist Association. Itsukushima Shrine’s annual events calendar lists 16:00
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
PRKlookHiroshima & Miyajima Full-Day Private Guided TourVisit Peace Memorial Park and Shukkeien Garden, then take the ferry to Miyajima’s Grand Torii and Itsukushima ShrineView on KlookPRKlookHave Fun in Hiroshima PassA pass that lets you choose 3 Hiroshima sights and experiences. Includes a discount coupon for the high-speed boat between Hiroshima Port and Miyajima PortView on KlookAccommodation on Miyajima is limited, so if you’ll watch the festival into the night, early booking is recommended. If staying in Miyajimaguchi or Hiroshima City, check return transport
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PR9.3Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
AquariumChugoku & Shikoku ・ Hiroshima & Miyajima
An aquarium themed on the Seto Inland Sea, on Miyajima, home of the World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine. It reopened after renovation in 2011 and displays more than 15,000 creatures of 380 species, centered on Seto Inland Sea life. It will be closed from December 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 for equipment upgrades and repair work, so visit by November 30.
April
May
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
OctoberChugoku & Shikoku ・ Matsuyama & Dogo Onsen
Every year October 5–7 (Yoimiya on the 5th, main festival on the 6th, Honmiya on the 7th; the hachiawase in front of Dogo Onsen Station is early in the morning of the 7th)
2026: Oct 5 (Mon) – Oct 7 (Wed); hachiawase in front of Dogo Onsen Station early in the morning of the 7th
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
