Nikko (Central Area)
Central Nikko is the area around the shrines and temples of Nikko (UNESCO World Heritage). The area is full of places to see and things to do.
Nikko Yayoi Festival
(Nikko Yayoisai)
弥生祭（日光市）
A traditional ‘Spring Festival’ nearby Tokyo
The organizers have confirmed that this event is GOING ahead.
We're sure this is happening, but 2025 dates and times are not confirmed.
DATE
2024 : 13th April (Sat) – 17th April (Weds) *Main days are 16th & 17th
Days
Hours
Min
Sec
*Dates and times have not been confirmed by the organizer.
TIMES & SCHEDULE
16th (Yomatsuri)
2pm – Yoimatsuri Floats gather at the Old Nikko City Memorial Park.
Yoimatsuri Ceremony
2:40pm – Floats Parade
3:10pm – Yoimatsuri at Kamihashi Bridge; Teuchi Ceremony
17th (Regular Festival)
10:30am – All floats Soukomi (to assemble up the hill) & Dedication entertainment
1:30pm – Shinmei Mawari ( float parade)
2:30pm – Teuchi Ceremony@Haidennmae
1:30pm – Shinmei Mawari ( float parade)
2:30pm – Teuchi Ceremony@Haidennmae
*All dates & times are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
COST
Free
*Prices were accurate at Oct 2022
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How to enjoy the Nikko Yayoi Festival
Experience Traditional Japan
Picturesque scenery
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Enjoy for 1-2 days!
🍡 🌸Get ready for one of the largest festival in Nikko! 🌸 🍡
Come and see ‘Yayoisai Festival’ – a traditional spring festival at 🏮Nikko Futarasan Jinja Shrine! Every year from April 13th to April 17th, the people of Nikko celebrate the arrival of 🌸spring at Nikko Futarasan Jinja Shrine.
This👘”Yayoisai Festival” is said to have started 1200 years ago!😍 Don’t miss the 👏🏽highlights on the 16th and the 17th, when portable shrines (each representing a district) are shouldered through the city! The festival reaches its climax on the 17th, when people work together to 🏃🏽🏃🏽run up the steps with their portable shrines. It is very exciting to watch❗️
What to do nearby Nikko Yayoi Festival
- Culture
- Kimono Experiences
- Sake Brewery Tour
- Museums
- Active
- Hiking
- Walking
- Taking Photos
- Food / Drink
- Taste local dish called Yuba
- Yokan (Traditonal sweets)
- Trout
- Sake Tasting
Watanabesahei Sake Brewery
Founded in 1842, Watanabesahei Sake Brewery is a traditional sake brewery in Imaichi, Nikko. They run a popular English brewery tour almost every day, and have a nice shop. Why not come to see a working sake brewery and learn how sake is made?
Katayama Sake Brewery
Katayama Sake Brewery is a very small, family-run sake brewery founded in 1879. Located near Watanabesahei in Imaichi, Nikko, it has a brewery shop to buy sake. Every drop of sake is gently made by hand, with the sake-pressing process alone taking three days!
How to get to Yayoi Festival in Nikko
From Tokyo
- 2H from Asakusa by train.
- 2H 30min drive from Tokyo area by car
Address
Areas surrounding Nikko Futarasan Jinja Shrine
2307 Sannai, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan 321-1431
〒321-1431 栃木県日光市山内2307
By Train
From JR Nikko Station (JR Nikko Line)
Take a bus towards “Chuzenji Onsen” or “Yumoto Onsen”. Get off at “Nishi Sando” bus stop (approx 7min) and walk for 10 min from the bus stop. It is also possible to walk (30min).
Take a bus towards “Chuzenji Onsen” or “Yumoto Onsen”. Get off at “Nishi Sando” bus stop (approx 7min) and walk for 10 min from the bus stop. It is also possible to walk (30min).
From Tobu Nikko Station (Tobu Nikko Line)
Take a bus towards “Chuzenji Onsen” or “Yumoto Onsen”. Get off at “Nishi Sando” bus stop (approx 7min) and walk for 10 min from the bus stop. It is also possible to walk (30min).
Take a bus towards “Chuzenji Onsen” or “Yumoto Onsen”. Get off at “Nishi Sando” bus stop (approx 7min) and walk for 10 min from the bus stop. It is also possible to walk (30min).
Use the Japan Transit Planner to find trains.
By Car
From Nikko Interchange (Nikko Utsunomiya Road)
Approximately 7 minutes drive from the Nikko IC on the Nikko Utsunomiya Road. (It can get busy during the festival so leave plenty of time!)
Approximately 7 minutes drive from the Nikko IC on the Nikko Utsunomiya Road. (It can get busy during the festival so leave plenty of time!)
Places to STAY in Central Nikko
Hotels (Western style)
Nikko is a popular tourist destination and has many western hotels to choose from. Most notably, it is home to Nikko Kanaya Hotel which was the first western style resort hotel to open in Japan.
Onsen Ryokan
‘Nikko Onsen (日光温泉)’ is an onsen source pumped up from around the UNESCO registered temple and shrines. Many of the hotels in central Nikko have this onsen water.
Nikko Kanaya Hotel
Experience history and luxury at Japan’s oldest resort hotel! Immerse yourself in 150 years of hospitality amidst Nikko’s majestic landscapes and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Stay and create timeless memories!
Contact Details (Event Organizer)
Any questions about this?
For information about this event please contact the Tourist Office directly.
Tel: +81 0288-22-1525
For information about this event please contact the Tourist Office directly.
Tel: +81 0288-22-1525
Websites
Japanese Official Website (External, Japanese site)
English Official Website (External, English site)
