Fukushima Waraji Matsuri 2026 | Dates, Access & Highlights
Fukushima Waraji Matsuri 2026 (Aug 7–9) parades a 12m, 2-ton straw sandal past the station before offering it to Haguro Shrine.
Quand · Où
- Quand
- 2026/08/07 18:30 – 2026/08/08
- Où
- Shinobu-dori (Route 13) & Fukushima Station front street（Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture）
- Ville
- Partout au Japon
- Y aller
- The parade route runs along Shinobu-dori directly in front of JR Fukushima Station's east exit.
- Prix
- Gratuit
- Organisateur
- Fukushima Waraji Matsuri Executive Committee (福島わらじまつり実行委員会)
Bon à savoir avant d’y aller
- Y aller
- The parade route runs along Shinobu-dori directly in front of JR Fukushima Station's east exit. Ouvrir l’itinéraire dans Google Maps ↗
- Réservation & entrée
- Gratuit : détails sur la page officielle (bouton ci-dessus).
- Langue
- Principalement en japonais : une appli de traduction sur le téléphone aide.
- Idéal pour
- amateurs de culture, familles, groupes d’amis
À ne pas manquer
- A 12m, 2-ton straw sandal — modeled on the giant waraji worn by legendary warrior-monk Benkei — is carried and paraded through the streets
- Aug 7–8: hundreds of dancers perform the 'waraji odori' along Shinobu-dori in front of Fukushima Station, 18:30–20:00/21:00
- Aug 9 (time TBA — check the official site): the giant waraji is ceremonially offered at Haguro Shrine on Mt. Shinobu, a practice tied to safe-travel prayers
Origine & histoire
The giant waraji is offered to Haguro Shrine in a tradition tied to legendary warrior-monk Benkei — the belief that an oversized sandal will scare off evil and ensure safe travels for the god enshrined on Mt. Shinobu.
Bon à savoir
Paid viewing seats exist for the Aug 7–8 parade nights but pricing wasn't published as of this writing — confirm on the official waraji.co.jp site closer to the date. Combine with Yamagata Hanagasa or Sendai Tanabata for a multi-festival Tohoku summer trip.