Omiya Shrine (大宮神社) (Venue of the Yamaga Toro Matsuri Thousand-Lantern Dance)

Flow of the course

About this spot

The Yamaga Toro Matsuri, with a history of over 400 years, is scheduled for two days in 2026, August 15 and 16, but due to the impact of the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake, it is being held on a reduced scale, and events such as the Thousand-Lantern Dance, the summer fireworks display, and the Festival Square have been cancelled. Only the Shinto rites and related ceremonies at Omiya Shrine will be carried out, and a display of dedicated lanterns and the Yamaga Toro Meguri Stamp Rally are planned around the city. You can experience the tradition of gold lanterns, made from washi paper and only a small amount of glue, through the exhibits at the Yamaga Toro Folk Craft Museum and the dedicated lanterns. In the quiet shrine grounds, it will be an evening to feel the spirit of the festival passed down in Yamaga.

Season & hours

Tips

Since the 2026 festival is on a reduced scale, the venue layout and traffic regulations may differ from a typical year. Please check the official information from Yamaga Tanbou (Yamaga City Tourism Association) for the latest details before visiting. It gets dark underfoot at night, so a flashlight is reassuring if traveling with small children.

Best time to visit

Check the official announcement for the time of the Shinto rites and related events, and plan your visit around sunset.

Access & map

熊本県 山鹿市・山鹿小学校・おまつり広場(国道325号)・大宮神社・菊池川河畔ほか