Things to do in Kuki – Nearby Tokyo Interview
Nearby Tokyo talks to Kuki city’s local tourist office about things to do in the area, including their famous lantern festival as well as their Iris, lavender and cosmos flowers.
Kanuma Autumn Festival
鹿沼秋まつり (鹿沼市）
Explore the exciting UNESCO-recognized Kanuma Autumn Festival! 👘
Last updated by Angus M
on April 21, 2025
We're sure this is happening, but dates & times have NOT been confirmed yet.
DATE
2025
: 11th (Sat) & 12th (Sun) October
Days
Hours
Min
Sec
*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
*Information last checked on 2025-04-21
TIME & SCHEDULE
Day1: Saturday
Afternoon (12 pm) to Evening (8 pm)
- 12:00 pm Parade starts around noon (video)
- 5:00 pm The festival starts to heat up when the floats set up their lanterns (video)
- 7:30 pm The festival reaches its climax on Day 1 with Buttsuke clashing (video)
Day2: Sunday
Morning (9:00 am) to Evening (8:30 pm)
- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Morning parade (video)
- 9:00 am & 12:00 pm Morning Buttsuke clashing (video)
- Noon Parade (video)
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm Traditional puppet performance (video)
- 3:00 pm Morning Buttsuke clashing (video)
- Afternoon Kagura Performance at Imamiya Shrine (video 1, video 2)
- 6:00 pm Beautiful Fireworks display with the Floats (video)
- 7:30- 8:30 pm The festival reaches its climax on Day 2 with Buttsuke clashing (video)
*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
*Information last checked on 2025-04-21
COST
Free
*Information last checked on 2025-04-21
How to enjoy the Kanuma Autumn Festival
Traditional Japan
Picturesque scenery
(Insta worthy!)
Unique Experience
Fun for a group of friends
Fun for the family
Festival steet food (food stalls)
Enjoy for a Full day
🎉 Experience the Thrill of the Kanuma Autumn Festival! 🏮
🏮 Experience the vibrant energy of the UNESCO-registered Kanuma Autumn Festival, a dazzling spectacle of traditional craftsmanship and lively spirit!
✨ Witness the “Buttsuke clashes” of elaborately carved festival floats, each a historic masterpiece of intricate design and vibrant colors. 🎨
With the air buzzing with the sounds of traditional music and the enthusiastic shouts of the participants, we’re sure you’ll have an unforgettable experience.
This hidden gem offers a fantastic glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural heritage, far from the usual tourist trails. Come and feel the passion of a truly authentic Japanese festival! 🇯🇵
What else to do near the Kanuma Autumn Festival
- Eat & Drink
- Try Japanese festival street food
- Try the Famous Kanuma Shumai Dumplings
- Kanuma is also known for Soba Noodles
- Culture
- Visit Kikusuien (Japanese garden with tea house)
- Try Kumiko (wood joinery) experience
- Look at Bonsai at Kanuma City Kaboku Center
- Attractions
- Camping and Glamping
- Experience Sake Making at Maenikko Brewery
Kanuma Kaboku Center
Visit Kanuma Kaboku Center to explore bonsai and rare plants, join Kokedama workshops, and shop for Japanese gardening tools and ornaments. Don’t miss the Kokedama ice cream dessert!
Maenikko Brewery
Maenikko Brewery is one of the few sake breweries in Japan that offer guests an authentic hands-on sake brewing experience.
Silk Travel
Discover Japan with Silk Travel. Ask for tailored travel experiences in Japan for a size group size of 2 to 27 people.
Places to EAT in Kanuma City
'Kanuma City'
(learn more about this area)
Kanuma City is a hidden gem, 90 minutes from Tokyo (30 min from Nikko), and has Bonsai to Sake making and even UNESCO-registered festivals!
Places to EAT in Kanuma City
Shumai Dumplings
(Kanuma is famous for it)
Kanuma City is known for its shumai in Japan. Shumai is a type of steamed dumpling (also known as dim sum) stuffed with meat, seafood, and vegetables. You can find many places in Kanuma that have shumai on their menu.
Soba Noodles
Check out Soba noodles in Kanuma. The area’s mountainous location and fertile soil are ideal for growing buckwheat, and the unique “Gen soba” variety contributes to the noodles’ rich flavor and aroma only found in Kanuma.
Western Restaurants
There are many Western & European restaurants in the center of Kanuma city near where the Kanuma Autumn Festival takes place. So there is no shortage of food.
Places to STAY near Kanuma City
Hotel (Western style)
Kanuma city has a few Western-style Business Hotels (2-3 star hotels) near Kanuma Interchange (Tohoku Expressway), as well as a Marriott Hotel 12km away.
Camping
Camping and glamping are popular in Kanuma, and there are several sites available.
Japanese style Ryokans
There are not many Japanese-style Ryokans. However, the Furumine Shrine offers Shukubo (Shrine stay).
Access
(How to get to the Kanuma Autumn Festival)
How to get there
Public Transport
- 10 min walk from Tobu Shin-Kanuma Station (Total 1hr 40min from Tokyo).
- 20 min walk from JR Kanuma Station (Total 1hr 30min from Tokyo) *Change at JR Utsunomiya Station to JR Nikko Line.
Car
- 2 hours drive from Tokyo.
Location & Address
Address
Areas surrounding Imamiya Shrine (Kanuma City)
今宮神社の近辺
1692 Imamiya-cho, Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
栃木県鹿沼市今宮町1692
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Via JR Utsunomiya Station (Total from Tokyo 1 hrs 30min)
Take the Shinkansen (Bullet train) from Tokyo to JR Utsunomiya Station (50 minutes), then take the JR Nikko Line towards Nikko. Get off at Kanuma Station and walk 15-20 minutes.
Via Tobu Nikko Line (1hr 40min from Tobu Asakusa station in Tokyo)
Take the Tobu Nikko Line (Tobu Railway) to Shin-Kanuma Station, then walk 10 minutes.
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Kanuma IC on Tohoku Expressway (2hours)
Approximately 2 hours (120 km) via the Tohoku Expressway from Tokyo. It’s a 15-minute drive from Kanuma IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
*We recommend using public transport, as the festival is near both JR and Tobu stations. If you are driving, parking is available at places 10-15 minutes’ walk from the festival center, at a cost of around 1,000 yen. You can find parking here.
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 Kanuma Autumn Festival Executive Committee directly.
Tel: +81 (0)289-63-2188
Websites
Official event page (External Link Official – Japanese)
More info (Visit Tochigi Page – English)
More info (JNTO Travel Page – English)
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.
