Nov12026
Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon 2026
A hilly, scenic marathon along the Kanmon Strait and the Sea of Japan coast of Shimonoseki, with a 'kaikyo' (strait) fun run; about 10,000 runners.
24 events
What's on in Chugoku.
Events across the Chugoku region, checked against official sources.
Nov152026
Hagi Jidai Matsuri
Autumn festival recreating the Hagi Daimyo Procession, with costumed warriors parading through the castle town to Kanaya Shrine.
Nov182026
Izumo Taisha Kamiari-sai (gathering of the gods)
The week in which Japan's eight million kami are said to gather at Izumo Taisha; begins with a torch-lit welcoming rite on Inasa Beach and includes en-musubi (matchmaking) rites.
Dec42026
Hiroshima Dreamination
Hiroshima Dreamination fills Peace Boulevard with fairy-tale light objects; in 2026 it starts in December for the first time.
Dec132026
Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion 2026
A compact mid-December illumination at the edge of the Tottori Sand Dunes, with light tunnels and projections against the darkened dunes, run by Tottori City.
Dec312026
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Chinkasai
New Year's Eve fire-prevention rite at Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, with around 1,000 pine torches carried to Mikasahama Beach.
Feb132027
Miyajima Oyster Festival 2027
Hiroshima's famous oyster island serves grilled, steamed and hotpot oysters at bargain prices beside the ferry pier at peak season, with 10:00-15:00 stalls both days.
Feb202027
Saidaiji Eyo (Okayama Naked Festival)
One of Japan's three great naked festivals: around 10,000 men in loincloths scramble for two sacred shingi sticks thrown into the crowd at 22:00 on a February night at Saidaiji temple.
Mar142027
Tottori Marathon 2027
A JAAF-certified point-to-point marathon starting at the Tottori Sand Dunes and running along the San'in coast and the Inaba Manyo countryside to Tottori city.
Mar272027
Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival
About 1,000 cherry trees over the tiered stone walls of Tsuyama Castle, western Japan's leading blossom site.
May22027
Shimonoseki Kaikyo Festival
Golden Week festival of Genpei history on the Kanmon Straits, with the Senteisai rite for Emperor Antoku at Akama Shrine.
May32027
Hiroshima Flower Festival
Hiroshima's largest street festival, with a flower parade, stages and booths along Peace Boulevard and in Peace Memorial Park.
Jul202027
Itsukushima Kangen-sai
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine's largest annual rite, a night boat procession with kangen court music on the 17th day of the 6th lunar month.
Jul242027
Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival
Kurashiki's biggest festival, with some 3,500 dancers in the evening Daikan Bayashi-Odori along Chuo Street.
Jul312027
Tsuyama Gongo Festival
A summer festival for the kappa water sprite Gongo, with dances on Yakko-dori and one of Okayama's largest fireworks displays.
Aug62027
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony
The annual 6 August ceremony marking the atomic bombing, with a minute's silence at 08:15, the Peace Declaration and the Peace Bell; attended by the UN Secretary-General and national leaders.
Aug62027
Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival
Some 100,000 red paper lanterns strung on bamboo form glowing tunnels through Yamaguchi's arcades, a 600-year-old Obon tradition from the Ouchi clan era; one of Japan's three great fire festivals.
Aug72027
Matsue Suigosai Fireworks Festival
Two evenings of fireworks and a drone show over Lake Shinji, one of Japan's leading lake fireworks displays.
Aug72027
Yonago Gaina Festival
Yonago's main summer festival of towering lantern poles, taiko and fireworks over Lake Nakaumi.
Aug132027
Tottori Shan-Shan Matsuri
Tottori's largest festival, centred on the Issei Kasa Odori mass umbrella dance by about 4,000 dancers with bell-hung paper umbrellas.
Aug202027
WILD BUNCH FEST. 2027
The Chugoku region's biggest outdoor rock festival, a three-day beach-park event with Japan's top rock and pop acts and a closing fireworks each night.
Aug222027
Okayama Momotaro Festival (Uraja)
Okayama's great summer dance festival, where teams in demon Ura make-up perform the Uraja dance across the city.
Sep252027
Matsue Suitoro Water Lantern Festival
Handmade lanterns light Matsue Castle and its moat streets on autumn weekend evenings.
Oct92027
Saijo Sake Matsuri
Japan's biggest sake festival in the brewing town of Saijo: seven breweries open their doors and a Sake Hiroba offers tastings of around 1,000 labels from every prefecture, drawing 200,000+ visitors.