Kanto · TochigiFestival
Twenty portable shrines are carried into a river, and the moment they hit the water the fireworks start.
Overview
The Moka Summer Festival (真岡の夏まつり), formally the Kojinsai, is the largest event in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture, and is listed among Japan’s hundred best summer festivals. Roughly 180,000 people attended over three days in the previous year.
It combines two things that usually happen separately: a full mikoshi and float festival rooted in the rites of Osaki Shrine, and a major fireworks display on the Gogyo River. The two meet on the second night, when the mikoshi are carried into the river and the fireworks begin.
The launch point sits close to the viewing area, so shells are visible from the moment they leave the tube — unusual for a display of this size.
When and Where
The 2026 festival ran from 24 to 26 July. The fireworks were on 25 July from 19:30 to 21:00, going ahead in light rain and postponed to 27 July at the same time in severe weather.
Events centre on the streets of central Moka and the area around Moka City Hall at 5191 Aramachi. The opening rites take place at Osaki Shrine, 949 Togo, Moka City, and the fireworks are launched from the Gogyo River bank east of the city hall.
What to Expect
The three days build in sequence, and the second is the one most visitors come for.
- Day one: the shutsugyo-sai departure rite, miya-dashi and chokai-watashi at Osaki Shrine, praying for safe processions, good harvests, protection from epidemics and industrial prosperity.
- Day two: the central city becomes a pedestrian zone for the “Omatsuri Hiroba”, with more than 20 mikoshi — the main shrine and Aramiya mikoshi, children’s mikoshi, neighbourhood mikoshi and hand-made junior high school mikoshi.
- Eight dashi floats and many hayashi music groups take part.
- Day two evening: the mikoshi are carried into the Gogyo River in the kawa-togyo, and the fireworks begin as they enter the water.
- The display totals about 15,000 shells.
- Day three: the miya-iri return procession, with float hayashi and “buttsuke” musical face-offs between floats.
Tickets and Admission
Attending is free. Paid sponsor viewing seats for the fireworks are handled by the Moka City Tourism Association (0285-82-2012).
On the fireworks day, around 35 free parking lots with roughly 3,500 spaces open across the city from 13:00 to 22:00. The city nonetheless recommends arriving by the Moka Railway because of congestion.
Tips for Visitors
- Take the Moka Railway rather than driving — the city says so itself, and the station is about 15 minutes on foot from the centre.
- Be in position along the Gogyo River well before 19:30 on the second night; the mikoshi river-crossing and the first shells are the peak of the whole festival.
- Day three’s “buttsuke” float face-offs are the connoisseur’s day and far less crowded than the fireworks night.
- Bring a small mat or folding cushion; riverbank viewing spots are grass and gravel.
Access and Map
| Dates | 24–26 July 2026; fireworks 25 July, 19:30–21:00 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Central Moka and around Moka City Hall; opening rites at Osaki Shrine; fireworks on the Gogyo River |
| Address | Moka City Hall, 5191 Aramachi, Moka City, Tochigi 321-4395 |
| Access | About 15 minutes on foot from Moka Station (Moka Railway). By car about 10 minutes from Moka IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway |
| Admission | Free; paid sponsor viewing seats via the Moka City Tourism Association |
| Official site | city.moka.lg.jp |
Source: Moka City official website
Image: Japan Events Guide (placeholder image)
