Shikoku · EhimeFestival
Six-metre bull-demon floats charge through the streets of Uwajima in southern Ehime’s wildest summer festival.
Overview
The Warei Taisai, better known as the Uwajima Ushioni Festival, is the great summer festival of Uwajima in southern Ehime. Over three days in late July, teams parade towering ushioni — “bull demons” up to six metres long, built on bamboo frames with red-cloth bodies, fearsome faces and long necks that sway over the crowds. Alongside them come dancing, a children’s parade, fireworks over Uwajima Bay and a dramatic portable-shrine contest.
When & Where
22–24 July 2026, in central Uwajima around Kisaiya Road, Ehime. Fireworks light up the bay on 23 July, and the ushioni and mikoshi reach their climax on 24 July.
Getting There
Uwajima sits in southern Ehime on the JR Yosan Line; from Matsuyama it is roughly 1.5 hours by limited express to Uwajima Station, a short walk from the festival streets. From outside Shikoku, connect via Matsuyama by air or rail.
What to Expect
The snaking ushioni are the stars, charging at the crowd and one another, while the hashira-tori ritual sees a shrine hauled up and around a sacred pole. Add taiko, street dancing along Kisaiya Road and a lively bayside fireworks night for a full summer-festival programme.
Tickets & Access
Free to watch from the public streets. Fireworks viewing is open to all, though bayside vantage points fill early. No ticket is needed for the parades.
Tips for Visitors
The evening of 24 July is the climax, so arrive early for a street-side spot. Stay hydrated in the summer heat, and try the local taimeshi (sea-bream rice) and Uwajima Castle while you are in town.
Access and Map
| Dates | 22–24 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Central Uwajima (Kisaiya Road), Ehime |
| Access | JR Uwajima Station |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | JNTO |
Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
Image: Photo: The original uploader was Hindukillermix at English Wikipedia. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 (license)
