Kansai · MieFestival
Named for the shouts of “Yaya!” as men collide in the street, this early-February festival is one of the wildest in the Kii Peninsula.
Overview
The Owase Yaya Matsuri is the winter festival of Owase Shrine in the fishing town of Owase, on Mie Prefecture’s rugged Kumano coast. Groups of young men carrying portable shrines deliberately charge and crash into one another, and the festival takes its name from the cries of “Yaya! Yaya!” that ring out as they meet. It is a raw, physical celebration rooted in local seafaring life rather than a polished tourist event.
When & Where
The festival is held over the first days of February, running February 1-5, 2026, with the most intense mikoshi clashes early in the run. Events centre on Owase Shrine and the surrounding streets. Owase is a small port town deep in southern Mie; nearest station: Owase on the JR Kisei Main Line.
Getting There
Owase sits on the JR Kisei Main Line between Nagoya and Kii-Katsuura. Limited express trains from Nagoya take roughly two and a half hours, so many visitors treat this as an overnight trip combined with the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. The shrine and festival streets are within walking distance of Owase Station.
What to Expect
The highlight is the mikoshi clashing, as teams of men slam their portable shrines together in narrow lanes to shouts and drumming. Over the week the programme also includes ceremonial dances and rituals at the shrine. Because the crowds are local in scale, spectators can get remarkably close to the action, so stay alert near the charging teams.
Tickets & Access
The festival is free to watch from the public streets and shrine precinct. There is no ticketing or reserved seating. Facilities are modest and small-town, so plan meals and accommodation in advance, especially given Owase’s remote location on the Kii Peninsula.
Tips for Visitors
February on the Kumano coast is cold, so bundle up. Keep a safe distance when the mikoshi teams charge, as collisions are deliberate and unpredictable. Combine the trip with a walk on the nearby Matsumoto-toge section of the Kumano Kodo for a memorable weekend.
Access and Map
| Dates | February 1-5, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Owase Shrine and surrounding streets, Owase, Mie |
| Access | Walkable from Owase Station (JR Kisei Main Line); approx. 2.5 hrs limited express from Nagoya |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | The Kansai Guide (Kansai Tourism Bureau) |
