Chubu · FukuiFestival
Red-clad revellers drum and dance atop wooden towers before a night of roaring bonfires signals the end of a Fukui winter.
Overview
The Katsuyama Sagicho Festival is a lively, slightly eccentric fire festival that has ushered in spring in the castle town of Katsuyama, Fukui, for around three centuries. By day, townsfolk in red nagajuban undergarments climb decorated towers to play shamisen, flutes and gongs and perform playful dances; by night the town’s dondo-yaki bonfires blaze. It is one of the Hokuriku region’s most characterful late-winter events.
When & Where
The festival is held on the last Saturday and Sunday of February, which in 2026 falls on 21–22 February. Neighbourhood tower stages (yagura) and decorations fill the streets across central Katsuyama. The opening drum begins around 1:00 pm on the first day, and the climactic Dondo-yaki bonfire ritual takes place at the Bentengawara riverside from about 8:00 pm on the second night. Nearest station: Katsuyama Station on the Echizen Railway.
Getting There
From Fukui Station, take the Echizen Railway Katsuyama-Eiheiji Line to its terminus at Katsuyama Station (about 55 minutes), then it is a short walk or bus ride into the festival area. Fukui Station is on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and JR limited-express network. Expect snow underfoot in February and dress warmly for a long evening outdoors.
What to Expect
Twelve neighbourhood towers host rotating music and comic dance performances, with brightly coloured banners and paper decorations strung through the streets. The finale is the Dondo-yaki, when tall bamboo-and-straw structures are set alight along the river, sending sparks into the cold night. Food and drink stalls keep spectators warm between performances.
Tickets & Access
Admission is free and no tickets are required; the festival takes place in public streets and along the riverbank. There is no reserved seating. Warm, layered clothing and waterproof boots are strongly recommended.
Tips for Visitors
Wander between the towers in the afternoon to catch the best performances, then head to the Bentengawara riverside before 8:00 pm on the second night for the bonfires. Keep back from the flames and flying embers. Pair the trip with nearby Eihei-ji temple or the Fukui Dinosaur Museum.
Access and Map
| Dates | 21–22 February 2026 (last weekend of February) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Central Katsuyama City and Bentengawara riverside, Fukui |
| Access | Echizen Railway to Katsuyama Station from Fukui (~55 min) |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | DISCOVER FUKUI (official prefectural travel guide) |
Source: DISCOVER FUKUI (official prefectural travel guide)
Image: Photo: 藤谷良秀 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (license)
