Experience One of Japan’s Most Entrancing Festivals

A centuries-old tradition is performed each autumn with this visually and musically striking seasonal ritual

Japan has an amazing array of colorful, historic festivals, but one of the most enchanting of them all is the Kanuma Autumn Festival, held every second week of October at Imamiya Shrine, near Nikko.
The centerpiece of the celebration— which has been designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage—are 27 massive wooden floats, exquisitely maintained by artisans using ancient skills to this day.

These mighty structures are hauled down the streets, and when they meet, they face off against each other in a musical showdown. From the dazzling waterfront fireworks display to streets lined with food stalls serving tasty treats, you can enjoy a truly otherworldly experience, and a one-of-a-kind feast for all five senses.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train to Utsunomiya Station (about 50 minutes); transfer to the Nikko Line for Kanuma Station (about 15 minutes).

Kanuma Autumn Festival