Tochigi Autumn Float Festival
(Tochigi Aki Matsuri)
とちぎ秋まつり （栃木市）
Traditional Edo-style festival floats parade the streets to the sound of Taiko drumming.
DATE
This is a biannual event
TIME & SCHEDULE
1st Day (1st Nov)
Children's Day
*This day is a children's version. Local children take the Dashi (floats) around town.
9:30-11:30 AM and 1:15- 3:30 PM
2nd & 3rd Day (2nd & 3rd Nov)
Main Festival Days
A Full day of float parades. ‘Butsuke (battle of the floats)’ is in the evening.
1:30-8:00 PM
*This is a biannual event
COST
Free
How to enjoy the Tochigi Autumn Float Festival ?
Take photos
Experience Traditional Japan
Fun for the family
Solo travelers
Enjoy for 3-5 hours
🏮Witness the 💥Battle of festival Floats🥁
Traditional Edo-style festival floats called ‘Dashi’ carry exquisitely carved figures decorated in gold and silver. Watch by as they parade up and down the streets to the sound of overwhelming taiko drummers.
In the evening you can also watch ‘Butsuke’ where floats battle against each other.
This biannual festival at the start of November is one of the best traditional festivals in this region so make sure not to miss it.
Things to do nearby Tochigi Autumn Float Festival
Local recommendations
- Culture
- Visit Tochigi City Art Museum (Ukiyo-e paintings etc)
- Visit Yokoyama Kyodokan Museum (Old merchant's house)
- Visit Tochigi Dashikaikan Museum (Festival floats)
- Visit Tochigi Utamarokan Gallery (Ukiyo-e)
- Visit Okada Kinenkan (Old merchant's house)
- Active
- Walking around historical part of town and around the canal
- See autumn leafs at Mt. Ohira
- Food / Drink
- Festival Food Stalls
- Western & Japanese style family friendly restaurants
Shoai Samurai
'Tochigi City'
(learn more about this area)
Hotels (Western Style)
There is a few western style hotels around the north side of Tochigi Station.
Ryokan (Japanese Style)
Tochigi City is home to Kanahan, a hisorical Ryokan in the town center.
Guesthouses & Aiirbnbs
There is a guesthouse on the Uzuma river near the town centerand a few airbnbs.
Kanahan (Ryokan)
Access (How to get to the Tochigi Autumn Float Festival)
How to get there
Public Transport
80 min from Tokyo by train.
Car
80 min drive from Tokyo by car.
Location & Address
Address
Center of Tochigi city’s main street (around Yorozucho Police station).
Yorozucho, Tochigi-city, Tochigi Pref
栃木県栃木市万町付近
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Via Tochigi Station (Tobu Line or JR Ryomo Line)
Take the Tobu Line or JR Ryomo Line to Tochig Station and exit from the North exit. Walk 10 minutes towards the city center (up the main road), and you won’t miss the festival!
Via Shin-Tochigi Station (Tobu Line)
If coming from Nikko or Utsunomiya, take the Tobu Line to Shi-Tochig Station and exit from the West Exit. Walk 15 minutes towards the city center, and you won’t miss the festival!
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Tichigi IC on Tohoku Expressway and Kita-Kanto Expressway
From the Tochigi IC on the Tohoku Expressway and Kita-Kanto Expressway, drive 20 minutes.
(Traffic and parking are limited, and it can get quite crowded. We recommend traveling by public transport as this is easy. If you need to drive, we recommend leaving your car at a nearby station and taking the train.)
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Contact Details (Event Organizer)
Tochigi City Tourism Website (External Link – Japanese)
Tochigi Prefecture Tourist Association Website (External Link – Japanese)
Tochigi City Tourist Association Website (External Link – Japanese)
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