Suwa Shrine Autumn Festival

Event Overview

The Suwa Shrine Autumn Festival is a historic and powerful celebration dating back to the Tenpo era (1830–1844). Deeply rooted in the local culture of Shimonita Town, Gunma, the festival features traditional portable shrine processions and the parade of seven grand floats. The magnificent floats and energetic traditional music (ohayashi) bring a sense of excitement to the entire town.

Highlights & How to Enjoy

The main attraction is the high-impact float procession. As the seven massive floats navigate the streets, the intense musical competition that occurs when they pass one another offers a level of excitement and power found in few other festivals. You will also witness the incredible skill of the float operators, who must precisely maneuver the heavy structures in tight spaces.

Adding elegance to the power of the floats, female dancers perform graceful dances atop the moving structures. The contrast between the heavy, rhythmic movement of the floats and the delicate beauty of the dancers is truly captivating. As night falls, the floats are illuminated by traditional lanterns, creating a magical and energetic atmosphere throughout the streets.

Schedule

The festival takes place over two days. Please note that times may vary slightly depending on the progress of the event.

• Departure Ceremony: around 13:40
• Float Procession (Daytime): around 14:00
• Float Procession (Nighttime): around 17:00
• Closing Ceremony: around 20:20
• Event End: around 20:30
• Mikoshi (Portable Shrine) Procession: around 08:00 (Departing from Suwa Shrine)
• Departure Ceremony: around 13:40
• Float Procession (Daytime): around 14:00
• Float Procession (Nighttime): around 17:00
• Ohayashi Music Performance: around 19:35
• Closing Ritual: around 20:10
• Event End: around 20:30

Venue & Access

The festival takes place throughout the streets of Shimonita Town.

• Take the JR Takasaki Line to the transfer point, then use the Joshin Electric Railway to arrive at Shimonita Station.
• Approximately 10 minutes from the Shimonita IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway.

Tips for Visitors

To fully enjoy the festivities, we recommend participating in the town stamp rally. By collecting stamps while exploring the town, you can earn original commemorative items or local specialties. It is a fun way to discover the charms of Shimonita with family and friends.

What to Bring & Etiquette

• *Clothing**: We recommend comfortable, walking-friendly clothing as you will be watching the procession outdoors for extended periods. If you plan to stay for the nighttime festivities, bring a light jacket to stay warm.
• *Payment**: Please check the official website for specific details regarding local vendor payments.
• *Reservations**: No advanced reservation is required, but please allow extra time for travel due to expected crowds and traffic restrictions.
• *Etiquette**: As this is a traditional ritual, please be mindful of your surroundings and ensure you do not block the path of the procession or local pedestrians.