Heike Taisai Festival
平家大祭（日光市）
Step into the elegant world of ancient Heike legends.
DATE
TIME & SCHEDULE
6th June (Sat) 2026
8:15 pm - Taiko Drumming
Place: Yunishigawa District Center
8:30 pm - Parade
Place: Yunishigawa Onsen town
*Cost to watch: Free
7th June (Sun) 2026
Place: 'Heike no Sato'
10:00 am - Ceremony
11:00 am - Demonstration: Biwa Music & Taiko drumming performance
12:30 pm - Japanese drum Performance
1:00 pm - Joro Procession Visit to Akama Shrine
2:00 pm - Biwa Music & Taiko drumming performance
*Cost to watch: Free - However, there is an entrance fee to enter 'Heike no Sato' (8:30am-5:00pm), Adult 510 yen, Child ( 6 to 15 years old) 250 yen
COST
Please see above
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!
Experience the 🎎 Legend of the Hidden Heike Village 🌿
Discover the mystical “Village of the Hidden Heike” during this evocative festival. As dusk falls, witness the 👘 Joro Dochu, a graceful procession of noble women in stunning historical Kimonos winding through the onsen town.
The next day, the festival centers on the picturesque thatched-roof Heike no Sato area. 🏯 Be mesmerized by the haunting melodies of the Satsuma Biwa (lute) 🎶 and the powerful Ranryōō mask dance 🎭, a sacred ritual performed by visiting priests! It is a rare chance to feel the soul of ancient Japan. Immerse yourself in the legends and local traditions of one of Nikko’s most atmospheric hidden gems. 🏮
What to do near the Heike Taisai Festival
- Culture
- Visit Heike no Sato and lern about the Heike samurai clan that escaped here 800 years ago
- Experience the ‘Samurai’ world in Edo Wonderland (Kinugawa Onsen)
- Dress up like a Heike princes
- Wellness
- Revitalize in a traditional Japanese Hotspring (Onsen)
- Active
- Take a duck tour on the Yunishigawa Dam
- Hike Mt. Maeyama (around 3hours)
Yagan Railway
Kitrip Nikko
'Yunishigawa & Oku-Kinu'
(learn more about this area)
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
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
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)
Email: Contact via Email from this page (External Link)
Web: English Website (External Link)
English 2026 Leaflet: PDF
Japanese 2026 Leaflet: PDF
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