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Naegi Castle Festival

Guide

Naegi Castle Festival

7 min read

Event Overview

The Naegi Castle Festival is a special historical event held at the Naegi Castle Ruins, a designated national historic site in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture. The festival celebrates the monumental 500th anniversary of the castle's construction in 2026. Set against the stunning backdrop of the 'Castle in the Sky'—a fortress built by the Toyama clan atop a rocky mountain—this festival blends traditional samurai culture with modern technology for a truly immersive experience.

Highlights & Activities

The main attraction is the live historical reenactments. Witness the intensity of matchlock gun (hinawa-ju) demonstrations, samurai combat performances, and the art of Iaido (sword drawing). To explore history through a modern lens, you can enjoy the 'Naegi Castle VR' experience or the 'Na%gi Castle AR Quiz Rally.' For families and art lovers, there are also activities like creating original tin badges or participating in a 'Giant Blackboard Drawing' led by professional artists.

Schedule

The festival will take place on October 4, 2026. Please note that times are subject to change.

  • *Samurai Demonstrations**: 10:30 / 13:30
  • *Matchlock Gun Demonstrations**: 11:30 / 13:30
  • *Stone Splitting Experience**: 10:30 / 14:00
  • *Naegi Castle VR**: 10:00–15:00
  • *Naegi Castle Marche & Food Trucks**: 10:00–15:00
  • *Original Tin Badge Making**: 9:00–14:30
  • *Naegi Castle AR Quiz Rally**: 10:00–15:00
  • *500th Anniversary Stamp Rally**: 8:30–12:00

Venue & Access

The venue is the Naegi Castle Ruins.

Parking & Shuttle Bus

Parking is not available at the castle site itself. Please use the designated temporary parking areas.

  • *Temporary Parking**: Near the Naegi Exchange Center or the Rokusai temporary parking lot.
  • *Free Shuttle Bus**: Runs between 'Nakatsugawa Station ⇔ Naegi Castle Ruins' and 'Naegi Exchange Center ⇔ Naegi Castle Ruins.'

Public Transportation

  • *Train & Bus**: Approximately 10 minutes by North Hina Kotsu bus from JR Nakatsugawa Station (get off at 'Naegi' and walk about 30 minutes).
  • *Note**: Traffic restrictions will be in place around the Naegi Castle area from 7:30 to 16:30 on the day of the event.

Tips for Visitors

Some programs require advanced reservations. The Naegi Castle Guided Tour and the Samurai Procession (free, but requires prior registration) have limited capacity and will close once full. We recommend checking availability early. Since many activities and the stamp rally have specific time windows, please plan your day accordingly.

What to Bring & Etiquette

  • *Footwear**: As Naegi Castle is a mountain fortress with stone steps and steep slopes, sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended.
  • *Payment**: Please bring cash for food stalls and the market-style booths.
  • *Reservations**: Participation in the guided tour and samurai procession requires pre-registration (from Sept 1 to Sept 17). On-site registration is generally not available.
  • *Etiquette**: Please respect the historical site and follow all local rules to preserve the landscape.