Kanto · ChibaFestival
Ten ornate floats are hauled up and down the steep temple approach to Naritasan over a lively July weekend near Tokyo’s main airport.
Overview
The Narita Gion Festival is the summer festival of Naritasan Shinshoji, the great temple that gives the airport city of Narita its name. For three days its historic approach fills with floats, drums and dancing in one of Chiba’s most atmospheric matsuri.
Because Narita is minutes from the international airport, it is an easy festival for overseas visitors to fold into the start or end of a trip.
When & Where
The 2026 festival runs from July 10 to 12, centred on the Omotesando approach and the main hall of Naritasan Shinshoji. Highlights include a total-pull of the floats and mass dancing across the weekend.
Nearest station: JR Narita or Keisei Narita Station.
Getting There
Narita is reached in well under an hour from central Tokyo on JR or Keisei lines, and is a short hop from Narita Airport. From either Narita station it is a 10 to 15 minute walk down toward the temple, following the sloping approach where the action unfolds.
What to Expect
Ten wheeled floats and dashi, decorated with carvings and lanterns, are pulled by teams along the narrow, steeply graded approach, an impressive feat on the hills around the temple. Musicians play in a style related to the Sawara festival tradition, and evening sees the floats lit up before the final combined pull.
Tickets & Access
Admission is free. The Omotesando is also lined with famous eel restaurants, a Narita speciality worth trying between float pulls.
Tips for Visitors
Wear comfortable shoes for the slopes and cobbles of the approach. Evenings, when the floats are illuminated, are especially photogenic. Summer heat is intense, so carry water and use the shade of the temple precincts.
Access and Map
| Dates | July 10–12, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Naritasan Omotesando approach & Shinshoji temple, Narita, Chiba |
| Access | 10–15 min walk from JR / Keisei Narita Station |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Narita City Tourism Association |
Source: Narita City Tourism Association
Image: Photo: katorisi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
