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Heike Taisai Festival

平家大祭(日光市)

Relive the Epic Tale of the Heike in a Dazzling Parade!

Last updated by Angus M
on August 30, 2024
We're sure this is happening, but dates & times have NOT been confirmed yet.

DATE

2025
: A weekend in Early June
Days
Hours
Min
Sec
*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.

*Information last checked on 2024-06-19

TIME & SCHEDULE

1st June (Sat) 2024

8:15 pm - Taiko Drumming & Parade

Place : Start at 'Yunishigawa District Center' and end at 'Yunishigawa Onsen town'
Cost to watch: Free

 

2nd June (Sun) 2024

11:00 am - Parade, Biwa Music & Demonstration

Place: Start at 'Yunishigawa District Center' and end at 'Heike no Sato'
Cost to watch: There is an entrance fee to enter 'Heike no Sato'

*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.

*Information last checked on 2024-06-19

COST

Please see above

*Information last checked on 2024-06-19

How to enjoy the Heike Taisai Festival

Picturesque scenery

Traditional Japan

History & Culture

Great Onsen (Hot Spring)

Fun for couples

Fun for kids and family

Traveling solo

Enjoy for 1 whole day!

🎎 Legendary Parade Awaits: Become a Heike Princess at Yunishigawa Onsen

⚔️ Join the tale at the Heike Taisai festival in Yunishigawa Onsen, where the 800 year history comes alive!✨

👘 In early June, more than 200 samurai warriors and noble princesses parade through this charming town in stunning period costumes (and you can too!). 🏯

🎎 Watch as the streets fill with samurai and princesses, 🎶 enjoy traditional music performances and the colorful lights reflecting off the river, taking you back to the Heike era.

✨ Don’t miss this fairytale-like setting where history, culture, and nature combine for a magical day! 🎉 (If you are staying in Yunishigawa Onsen, contact your hotel to see if you can join the parade!)

What to do near the Heike Taisai Festival

Kitrip Nikko

Kitrip Nikko experience
Join Rieko on one of Kitrip Nikko’s tours through Nikko’s outdoors to have a truly local experience. Unique tours include incense making to harvesting Ice from frozen lakes. See website for more.
River and Mountain in Yunishigawa Oku-Kinu area

'Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu'
(learn more about this area)

Yunishigawa and Oku-Kinu are deep in Nikko National Park, where the Hike clan escaped in the 12th century. It has interesting culture & excellent onsen hot springs.
Places to EAT in Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu
Places to STAY in Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu

Ryokan (Japanese Style Hotels)

This area is a famous Onsen (Hot spring) town so there are many nice Onsen Ryokans (Japanese Style Hotels with a hot spring).

Western Style Hotels

This area is a popular hot spring destination. There are many Hotels with Western style rooms that cater towards western guests.

Guesthouses & Airbnbs

There not many Guesthouses and holiday homes in this area, but there are many Hotels and Ryokans with hot springs.

Hatcho-no-yu

Outdoor hot spring (Onsen) at Hatcho no yu hotel in Oku-kinu, Nikko
Located in Nikko National Park, ‘Haccho no Yu’ is said to be the last hidden hot spring near Tokyo. At an altitude of 1,400 meters, surrounded by wildlife, enjoy our locally sourced meal and open-air baths beside a waterfall. Our winter snow activities are also highly recommended.

Access (How to get to Heike Taisai Festival)

① Getting to 'Heike no Sato'

How to get there

Public Transport

2hrs 40min train ride from Tokyo (Asakusa).

Car

3hrs 15min drive from Tokyo by car.

Location & Address

Address

Heike no Sato

平家の里

1042 Yunishigawa Onsen, Nikko City, Tochigi Pref. Japan 321-2601

〒321-2601 栃木県日光市湯西川温泉1042

TEL:0288-98-0126

Access from Tokyo

By Public Transport

Via Yunishigawa Onsen Station (Yagan Tetsudo Line/Kinugawa Line)

Take the bus to Yunishigawa Onsen. After a 25-minute ride, get off at the Yunishigawa Onsen (the last bus stop).

*You can also take a bus from Kinugawa Onsen Station if you are staying in Kinugawa Onsen.

We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.

By Car

Via Nikko-Utsunomiya Road Imaichi IC

75 mins drive from Nikko-Utsunomiya Road Imaichi IC (via route 121 and route 249)

 

We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.

② Getting to 'Yunishigawa District Center'

How to get there

Public Transport

2hrs 30min train ride from Tokyo (Asakusa).

Car

3hrs 10min drive from Tokyo by car.

Location & Address

Address

Yunishigawa District Center

日光市役所 湯西川地区センター

709 Yunishigawa, Nikko City, Tochigi Pref. Japan 321-2601

〒321-2601 栃木県日光市湯西川709

TEL:0288-98-0026

Access from Tokyo

By Public Transport

Via Yunishigawa Onsen Station (Yagan Tetsudo/Kinugawa Line)

Take the bus towards Yunishigawa Onsen. After 20 mins ride, get off at Yamashiroya Hotel Mae Bus stop.

*You can also take a bus from Kinugawa Onsen Station if you are staying in Kinugawa Onsen.

We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.

By Car

Via Nikko-Utsunomiya Road Imaichi IC

70 mins drive from Nikko-Utsunomiya Road Imaichi IC (via route 121 and route 249)

We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.

Contact Details (Event Organizer)

For information about this event, please contact the Nikko City Tourism Association directly.
Tel: +81 (0)288-22-1525
Websites

Disclaimer:  NearbyTokyo.com strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information by researching and contacting event organizers. All information on the page is provided in good faith. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, validity, reliability, or availability of any information found here. Readers are encouraged to verify any information with official sources.

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