Guide
Chiryu Matsuri is a historic traditional festival centered around Chiryu Jinja Shrine in Chiryu City, Aichi Prefecture. With records dating back to the Edo period (1653), this festival is a deeply cherished cultural heritage of the region. The Hon-matsuri (main festival) is held every other year, serving as a spectacular early summer highlight featuring magnificent floats and traditional performing arts.
The greatest draw of this festival is the "Dashi Bunraku" and "Karakuri Ningyo" (mechanical puppet plays) performed atop the ornate, gilded floats. Watching the exquisitely crafted puppets move in perfect synchronization with the music to tell a story is the pinnacle of traditional Japanese performing arts. The sight of these heavy, historic floats parading through the streets is truly breathtaking. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere where historical elegance meets the vibrant energy of the local community.
The Hon-matsuri is held over two days, typically on May 2nd and 3rd.
The festivities take place around the Chiryu Jinja Shrine area.
Since the floats parade through the streets, you can enjoy the spectacle while moving along with the procession. The highlight is the puppet performance on the floats; try to secure a good spot along the route to experience the performance up close.
As this is an outdoor event, please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Since schedules may shift due to weather or event progress, please check for the latest updates. We highly recommend using public transportation as the area is expected to be crowded.