What is the Niihama Taiko Festival? Introducing information about when it’s held, highlights, and sightseeing destinations to visit while you’re there!
The Niihama Taiko Festival is one of Shikoku’s big three festivals, and is held in mid-October every year in Niihama City in Ehime Prefecture. Excitement fills the air at this event with its impressive taiko drum floats, known as “chosa,” and taiko drumming, and the impactful spectacle attracts local people and large numbers of tourists.
What is the Niihama Taiko Festival?
The Niihama Taiko Festival is the representative fall festival of Ehime Prefecture. Giant taiko drum floats (known as “chosa”) decorated with gold thread embroidery parade around the city, pulling people into the excitement with their power. They stand around 5.5 meters high, 12 meters in length, and weigh about 2.5 tons! These taiko drum floats were originally devoted to the gods to thank them for an abundant harvest, and we can trace their origins back as far as 1,200-800 years ago. The sight of gorgeous and finely decorated floats parading around the city with vigor leaves a great impression on the onlookers. The floats have grown in size since the second half of the 1800s, and are maintained by local craftspeople who pass down their traditional techniques.
Highlights of the Niihama Taiko Festival
The biggest highlight of the festival is the “kakikurabe” that takes place in each part of the city. The taiko floats normally parade with tires, but during the kakikurabe, the people directing the floats stand on top of the long wooden poles that are carried on the shoulders, known as “kakibo,” and groups of 150 men work together to lift the approximately 2.5-ton floats. Because of this, the festival is also known as the “men’s festival.” 54 floats come together from all eight districts of the city, and the spectacle of them completely covering the roads is also a must-see. The upper section of each float is decorated with ornamentation known as “futon-jime.” A pair of these are attached to each of the four sides, and are embroidered with a scowling dragon. The three-dimensional embroidery draws the eyes of the onlookers.
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This magnificent Shinto service marks the start of the Niihama Taiko Festival. In the pre-dawn darkness, the roar of gunshots acts as a signal for the brave float carriers to lift the taiko drum floats and run up the 100-step stone staircase in one go. The sight of the floats powerfully ascending as the excitement and shouts of the spectators packed onto the shrine road fill the air is the best part of the opening day of the festival.
画像提供：一般社団法人新居浜市観光物産協会
"Kakiage" in Uchinomiya Shrine
This magnificent Shinto service marks the start of the Niihama Taiko Festival. In the pre-dawn darkness, the roar of gunshots acts as a signal for the brave float carriers to lift the taiko drum floats and run up the 100-step stone staircase in one go. The sight of the floats powerfully ascending as the excitement and shouts of the spectators packed onto the shrine road fill the air is the best part of the opening day of the festival.
画像提供：一般社団法人新居浜市観光物産協会
Location, access, and dates
■Location: Various districts of Niihama City (Ohjoin district, Kawahigashi District, Kawahigashi-seibu District, Kawanishi District, Funaki District, Sumino District, Izumigawa District, Nakahagi District)
■Access: Varies depending on the location. Ask the Niihama City, Tourism Products Section for more information.
*The city sets up temporary car parks and operates free shuttle buses.
*Parts of the city have traffic restrictions in place.
■Dates: Held every year on October 15–18
■Access: Varies depending on the location. Ask the Niihama City, Tourism Products Section for more information.
*The city sets up temporary car parks and operates free shuttle buses.
*Parts of the city have traffic restrictions in place.
■Dates: Held every year on October 15–18
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Sightseeing destinations to visit while you're in Niihama
Niihama is Shikoku’s leading coastal industry city, an area with a rich natural world surrounded by the sea and mountains. Enjoy spectacular sights that you’ll want to see at least once, including the Besshi Copper Mines Heritage of Industrial Modernization, also known as “Machu Picchu in the East.”
Besshi Copper Mine Tonaru "Machu Picchu of Japan"
The industrial heritage of the Besshi Copper Mine still exists deep in the mountains of Niihama. At its peak, the town was a bustling place where many people lived, but with the closure of the Besshi Copper Mine, only the ruins of the town remain. In recent years, the town has been called “Machu Picchu of the Orient” because of its stone walls, brick buildings, and high location, attracting many tourists. The site, which is located at an altitude of around 750 meters, also offers a spectacular view of the city of Niihama and the distant Seto Inland Sea on a clear day. In addition to the Tonaru Historical Museum, which displays a diorama of a realistic reproduction of a town and school from the past, the area also has a copper theme museum displaying copper products, the Tonaru Learning Center where visitors can learn through video, a nature exhibition room, and other facilities.
Rest stop "Roadside Station" Minetopia Besshi
The roadside station is located along the Bessi-Suiha-hana-Kaido Road, Prefectural Road No. 47.
There is a mining theme park, a mining railroad and sightseeing tunnel that restored Japan's first dedicated mountain mining railroad, a gold mining experience park, a hot spring facility with open-air baths and bedrock baths, and an indoor children's play facility. There is also a restaurant ideal for taking a break.
The regular sightseeing buses to Tohei, the Machu Picchu of Japan, depart from and arrive at Myntopia Besshi.
Besshi Rhine Line
This is a 10-kilometer-long valley scenic area located upstream of the Kokuryo River, which flows through the center of Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture. Visitors can enjoy beautiful seasonal scenery with cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and autumn leaves in fall. The Besshi Line was named for its resemblance to the valley beauty of the Rhine River in Germany, and many tourists, both from within and outside of the prefecture, visit the area to take in the scenery that changes with each season. Prefectural Route 47 runs along the Besshi Line, and it is also a driving course where visitors can enjoy the scenery from the windows of their cars.
Mt. Ishizuchi
Mt. Ishizuchi is one of the seven sacred peaks of Japan. The mountain consists of peaks including Tengudake, the highest point in western Japan, Misen, the location of the Ishizuchi Shrine, as well as a number of additional peaks to the south. A variety of walking trails are available including a 4.6km ridge walk from Tsuchigoya, Kumakogen-cho, or a cable car ride from Saijo-shi. There is also a challenging one-of-a-kind trail where climbers ascend a series of sheer cliffs by a network of chains. Never fear, for those without the strength for that a detour is available and there are plenty of options for visitors to take a trail suiting their fitness and experience. Upon reaching the summit the sense of achievement is beyond words. Majestic views stretching from the Seto Inland Sea and Tosa Bay to the Chugoku and Shikoku Mountains visible in the distance on fine days are magnificent!
Temple 64, Maegamiji
Maegamiji is located at the foot of Mt. Ishizuchi (elevation 1982 m), one of the seven sacred mountains of Japan. It is the head temple of the Ishizuchi School of the Shingon Sect and the fundamental center of Shugendo.
Suiha Plateau
The Suiha Highland plateau offers a stunning 360° view of the Seto Inland Sea and the Shikoku mountain range. In spring, rapeseed blossoms and in summer and early fall, cosmos flowers bloom, creating a spectacular sight. The Rapeseed Flower Festival (read more) takes place in late April, while the Cosmos Festival (read more) is held in late August, drawing in many visitors.
Additionally, there is an observatory where you can admire highland flowers and the Ishizuchi mountain range. The area also features cherry blossom trees imported from the United States, providing a beautiful setting for families to enjoy the changing seasons.
Towel Museum
This is the world’s first towel museum dedicated to the art of towel manufacturing. The unique museum has much to offer including displays of intricate traditional towels, works of art made from towels, an exhibition on the towel-making process, and there is even a garden area rich with seasonal beauty. The museum café offers pleasant lunches or afternoon teas and an enticing range of original goods and local products are available in the museum shops.
Shimanami Kaido (Shimanami Expressway)
Driving and Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido (Shimanami Expressway)!
The Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido (Shimanami Expressway) is a 60-km long highway connecting Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture. The road was planned to preserve the natural environment and avoid topographical changes as much as possible, therefore bridges of different sizes and types are built along the route. Except for the Shin-Onomichi Bridge, all bridges have paths for motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians, allowing visitors to enjoy cycling while admiring the beauty of the many islands.
Besshi Copper Mine Tonaru "Machu Picchu of Japan"
The industrial heritage of the Besshi Copper Mine still exists deep in the mountains of Niihama. At its peak, the town was a bustling place where many people lived, but with the closure of the Besshi Copper Mine, only the ruins of the town remain. In recent years, the town has been called “Machu Picchu of the Orient” because of its stone walls, brick buildings, and high location, attracting many tourists. The site, which is located at an altitude of around 750 meters, also offers a spectacular view of the city of Niihama and the distant Seto Inland Sea on a clear day. In addition to the Tonaru Historical Museum, which displays a diorama of a realistic reproduction of a town and school from the past, the area also has a copper theme museum displaying copper products, the Tonaru Learning Center where visitors can learn through video, a nature exhibition room, and other facilities.
Rest stop "Roadside Station" Minetopia Besshi
The roadside station is located along the Bessi-Suiha-hana-Kaido Road, Prefectural Road No. 47.
There is a mining theme park, a mining railroad and sightseeing tunnel that restored Japan's first dedicated mountain mining railroad, a gold mining experience park, a hot spring facility with open-air baths and bedrock baths, and an indoor children's play facility. There is also a restaurant ideal for taking a break.
The regular sightseeing buses to Tohei, the Machu Picchu of Japan, depart from and arrive at Myntopia Besshi.
Besshi Rhine Line
This is a 10-kilometer-long valley scenic area located upstream of the Kokuryo River, which flows through the center of Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture. Visitors can enjoy beautiful seasonal scenery with cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and autumn leaves in fall. The Besshi Line was named for its resemblance to the valley beauty of the Rhine River in Germany, and many tourists, both from within and outside of the prefecture, visit the area to take in the scenery that changes with each season. Prefectural Route 47 runs along the Besshi Line, and it is also a driving course where visitors can enjoy the scenery from the windows of their cars.
Mt. Ishizuchi
Mt. Ishizuchi is one of the seven sacred peaks of Japan. The mountain consists of peaks including Tengudake, the highest point in western Japan, Misen, the location of the Ishizuchi Shrine, as well as a number of additional peaks to the south. A variety of walking trails are available including a 4.6km ridge walk from Tsuchigoya, Kumakogen-cho, or a cable car ride from Saijo-shi. There is also a challenging one-of-a-kind trail where climbers ascend a series of sheer cliffs by a network of chains. Never fear, for those without the strength for that a detour is available and there are plenty of options for visitors to take a trail suiting their fitness and experience. Upon reaching the summit the sense of achievement is beyond words. Majestic views stretching from the Seto Inland Sea and Tosa Bay to the Chugoku and Shikoku Mountains visible in the distance on fine days are magnificent!
Temple 64, Maegamiji
Maegamiji is located at the foot of Mt. Ishizuchi (elevation 1982 m), one of the seven sacred mountains of Japan. It is the head temple of the Ishizuchi School of the Shingon Sect and the fundamental center of Shugendo.
Suiha Plateau
The Suiha Highland plateau offers a stunning 360° view of the Seto Inland Sea and the Shikoku mountain range. In spring, rapeseed blossoms and in summer and early fall, cosmos flowers bloom, creating a spectacular sight. The Rapeseed Flower Festival (read more) takes place in late April, while the Cosmos Festival (read more) is held in late August, drawing in many visitors.
Additionally, there is an observatory where you can admire highland flowers and the Ishizuchi mountain range. The area also features cherry blossom trees imported from the United States, providing a beautiful setting for families to enjoy the changing seasons.
Towel Museum
This is the world’s first towel museum dedicated to the art of towel manufacturing. The unique museum has much to offer including displays of intricate traditional towels, works of art made from towels, an exhibition on the towel-making process, and there is even a garden area rich with seasonal beauty. The museum café offers pleasant lunches or afternoon teas and an enticing range of original goods and local products are available in the museum shops.
Shimanami Kaido (Shimanami Expressway)
Driving and Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido (Shimanami Expressway)!
The Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido (Shimanami Expressway) is a 60-km long highway connecting Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture. The road was planned to preserve the natural environment and avoid topographical changes as much as possible, therefore bridges of different sizes and types are built along the route. Except for the Shin-Onomichi Bridge, all bridges have paths for motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians, allowing visitors to enjoy cycling while admiring the beauty of the many islands.