Shikoku · EhimeFestival
One of the three great festivals of Ehime and one of Shikoku’s most powerful autumn spectacles, where gold-embroidered drum floats weighing about three tonnes are hoisted overhead by 150 or more men.
Overview
The Niihama Taiko Matsuri centres on enormous drum floats (taiko-dai) about 5.5 metres tall and covered in gold-thread embroidery. Its roots reach back around a thousand years as a harvest thanksgiving, and it is often called the “men’s festival” for its raw physical energy.
When and Where
The 2026 festival takes place from Thursday to Sunday, October 16 to 18, across Niihama City in Ehime Prefecture.
Getting There
Take the JR Yosan Line to Niihama Station. Events are spread across several sites in the city, such as riverside grounds and shrine plazas, so check the daily schedule for locations.
What to Expect
The climax is the kakikurabe, when teams of bearers lift the massive taiko-dai overhead and compete in strength and skill. It is loud, physical, and intense, with the floats swaying above the crowd.
Tips for Visitors
Check the daily venue timetable in advance, arrive early for the lifting competitions, and keep a safe distance from the floats, which are heavy and move suddenly in the crush of bearers.
Access and Map
| Dates (2026) | October 16–18 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Various sites across Niihama City, Ehime |
| Access | JR Yosan Line to Niihama Station |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Setouchi Tourism |
Source: Setouchi Tourism (official)
Image: Photo: osamu tanaka / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
