Announcement of the Himeji Yukata Festival 2026

Himeji Yukata Festival Poster

Event Dates and Times

June 20 (Saturday) and June 21 (Sunday), 2026

From 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM each day

Traffic restrictions are scheduled from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM each day

Venue

Around Nagakabe Shrine, Jounan Park, shopping streets, and other locations

Event Overview

### June 20 (Saturday)

#### Children's Yukata Parade

A yukata parade will be held from Himeji Castle, through Nagakabe Shrine, to Jounan Park, led by the Himeji City Fire Department Band, with local elementary school students and Himeji Castle Ambassadors wearing yukata.

Organized by: Himeji Yukata Festival Promotion Council

Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (4:20 PM to 5:00 PM in case of rain)

Route (Clear Weather)

Himeji Castle Ninomaru Plaza → Sakuramon Bridge → Omotemachi-dori (West Side) → Nishi-Nikai-cho Shopping Street → Nagakabe Shrine → Jounan Park

Route (Rainy Weather)

Jounan Community Center → Nagakabe Shrine → Jounan Park

#### Opening Ceremony

An opening ceremony will be held at Jounan Park, located near Nagakabe Shrine, to officially launch the yukata festival.

Organized by: Himeji Yukata Festival Promotion Council

Location: Jounan Park

Time: 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM

### June 20 (Saturday) and June 21 (Sunday)

#### Local Community Stage Flyer

Local Community Stage at Jounan Park

Events including singing, dancing, and taiko drum performances for families to enjoy (canceled in case of rain)

Organized by: Himeji Yukata Festival Support Association

Location: Jounan Park

Time: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

#### Shopping Street Events

Organized by: Nishi-Nikai-cho Shopping Street Revitalization Association

Location: Nishi-Nikai-cho Shopping Street

Time: 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Content: Goldfish scooping game

#### Local Residents, Shops, and Shopping Street Stalls

Location: Nagakabe Shrine, around Jounan Park, Nishi-Nikai-cho Shopping Street

Time: 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Content: Hospitality (sale of food and drinks) – 83 stalls planned

#### Food and Merchandise Stalls

Organized by: Himeji Yukata Festival Stall Management Council

Location: Nagakabe Shrine, around Jounan Park, Nishi-Nikai-cho Shopping Street, Omotemachi-dori

Time: 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Content: 114 stalls planned through public recruitment

Benefits for Visitors Wearing Yukata

- Free admission to nearby facilities (Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Zoo, Himeji City Literary Museum, Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History) – Himeji Literary Museum and Prefectural Museum of History cover only permanent exhibitions - 50% off on Kinki Nippon Bus fares (excluding express buses and certain routes departing from Himeji Station, JR Ajima Station, and Sanyo-Shisamo Station; cash payment only) - 20% off round-trip tickets for the Shosha Ropeway - 50% off MONZEN soft cream at Kinki Nippon Bus - One free drink (S or M size) at Earth Cinemas Himeji when presenting a same-day movie ticket - 50% off boat ride fare on the Cultural Sightseeing Learning Boat at Himeji Castle's inner moat (adults only) - Promotional campaigns at shopping streets (discounts, distribution of novelty items, etc.)

Pedestrian and Traffic Regulations

To ensure visitor safety, pedestrian restrictions at station areas and traffic controls around the festival venue will be implemented.

### Pedestrian Restrictions

- Castle Garden, Castle View, connecting decks, etc. (from 9:00 PM to early morning the next day) - Station-front lawn plaza (from June 20 to the morning of June 22)

### Traffic Restrictions

- Roads around Nagakabe Shrine (from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM) - Himeji Station East Rotary and nearby roads around Sanyo Department Store (from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM the next day)

Contact Information

### General Inquiries

Himeji Yukata Festival Promotion Council Secretariat (Himeji City Tourism and Convention Office)

670-8501 1-chome Yasuda, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone: 079-221-1500 Fax: 079-221-1527

### Local Community Stage at Jounan Park (Event)

Himeji Yukata Festival Support Association

Phone: 079-280-1296

### Stall Recruitment, Local Resident and Shop Participation (Applications for the 2026 festival have closed.)

Himeji Yukata Festival Stall Management Council Booth Office

670-0012 44 Honmachi, Shirasagi-cho Community Center, Himeji City

Phone: 079-280-9361 Fax: 079-280-9362

Additional Information

- Cancellation announcements: 079-282-2012 (automated voice) - Drone photography is prohibited around Himeji Castle and event venues. - Due to heavy congestion during the event, please refrain from passing through by bicycle or similar means. - For purchases at stalls and local vendors, please support stores displaying the 'Himeji Yukata Festival Partner Store' sign.