Kanto · TochigiFestival
Otawara closes its main street for two August evenings to honour Nasu no Yoichi, the archer who shot a fan off a boat at the Battle of Yashima — first with a street dance competition, then with an armoured procession.
Overview
Otawara Yoichi Matsuri (大田原与一まつり) commemorates Nasu no Yoichi, the Genpei War archer remembered for shooting down a fan target mounted on a Taira boat at the Battle of Yashima. The Nasu clan’s territory covered what is now northern Tochigi, and Otawara has built its summer festival around him.
2026 was the 43rd edition. It is a compact, two-evening civic festival rather than a national-scale one, and the centre of Otawara becomes a pedestrian precinct for the duration.
When and Where
The festival runs over two consecutive days in the first half of August. In 2026 those were Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August, 15:00 to 21:00 each day — though the 8 August programme was cancelled on the day because of a thunderstorm. The 44th edition is expected in early August 2027; dates had not been fixed at the time of writing.
The venue is the city-centre main street, running from the Shirakawa Shinkin Bank intersection through the Yamani-shoten intersection to the Kanadoro intersection, including Chuo Multipurpose Park. Roads close from 14:00 to 22:00.
What to Expect
- Day one: the Yoichi Odori, a flowing street dance judged competitively, from 18:15 to 20:00, with prizes for dancing, pulled floats and costume.
- Day two: the Yoichi Musha Gyoretsu samurai procession, 18:45 to 19:50, walking from Chuo Multipurpose Park to the Tokotoko Otawara complex.
- A guest celebrity appears in full armour as Lord Nasu no Yoichi, accompanied by warlords, court ladies and child warriors played by local primary-school pupils.
- The main street is fully pedestrianised — no cars, motorbikes or bicycles inside the venue.
- Note that the 2026 edition had no fireworks; the city stated explicitly that none would be launched.
Admission and Tickets
Free, with no advance reservation. There is no parking at the venue, but free temporary car parks and a free shuttle bus operate from 15:00 to 21:30. City buses are free on festival days for anyone wearing yukata or happi.
Tips for Visitors
The two evenings are quite different — dance on the Friday, procession on the Saturday — so decide which you actually want rather than assuming they repeat. Wear yukata if you have one: it makes the city buses free and you will not stand out. Use the free shuttle rather than hunting for street parking, and check the city’s page on the day, since 2026 showed the weather can end proceedings at short notice.
Access and Map
| Dates | Two consecutive days, first half of August (2026: 7–8 August, 43rd edition) |
|---|---|
| Time | 15:00–21:00 both days; road closure 14:00–22:00 |
| Venue | Otawara city-centre main street and Chuo Multipurpose Park, Tochigi |
| Nearest station | JR Nishi-Nasuno Station, then Kanto Bus approx. 10 min to Sumiyoshi 1-chome + 10 min walk |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | city.ohtawara.tochigi.jp |
Source: Otawara City Official Site
Image: Existing site image retained — no verified photograph of this festival could be sourced.
