A summer festival starring the Shan-Shan Kasa Odori, an umbrella dance adapted from the Inaba Kasa Odori of eastern Tottori Prefecture so that anyone can dance it. It began in 1961 as the Tottori Festival and has been held under its current name since 1965. At the 50th festival (2014) it set a world record for the largest umbrella dance, and every year more than 4,000 dancers dance in unison holding brightly colored umbrellas with bells.
The main event is the mass umbrella dance on the 14th. True to its name, which comes from two ‘shan-shan’ sounds, hot water bubbling (the area is known for hot springs) and bells jingling, the sound of umbrellas fitted with bells being twirled echoes through the city. The sight of crowds of dancers filling streets such as Wakasa Kaido and Chizu Kaido from early evening into the night is spectacular.
August 13, Fumon Hiroba in front of JR Tottori Station. Official information for 2026
August 14, city center. Official information for 2026
August 14, city center. Official information for 2026
August 15, Sendai-gawara Civic Sports Plaza. Official information for 2026
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
The festival coincides with Obon, so accommodation in Tottori City tends to get busy. Early booking is recommended
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ExperienceChugoku & Shikoku ・ Tottori
The world's first museum dedicated to sand sculptures, right next to the Tottori Sand Dunes. The theme changes every year, and works by sand sculptors from Japan and abroad are displayed indoors. From April 24, 2026 to January 3, 2027, the 17th exhibition, Travel Around the World in Sand: Spain, is on.
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 ・ 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
