What is the Saijo Festival? Introducing information about when it’s held, highlights, and sightseeing destinations to visit while you’re there!
The Saijo Festival, famous for its gorgeous, ornate festival floats, is held every year in mid-October in Saijo City in Ehime Prefecture. It’s a dynamic festival deeply rooted in the local area: many local businesses and schools are closed during the festival period, and people originally from Saijo City who live far away return to join in.
What is the Saijo Festival?
The Saijo Festival is the traditional fall festival of Saijo City in Ehime Prefecture, and has been taking place since the Edo period (1603–1868). It’s a gorgeous, showy event, in which around 150 festival floats (decorative floats known as “danjiri,” portable shrines (“mikoshi”), and taiko drum floats called “taikodai”) are presented to shrines. The festival is a Shinto ritual that gives thanks to the gods for an abundant harvest of crops such as rice and grain; its name, the “Saijo Festival,” is the collective name for the regular festivals of four shrines: Kamo Shrine, Iwaoka Shrine, Isono Shrine, and Iizumi Shrine.
Floats from different parts of the city are presented to the shrines—notably, you can see more danjiri and mikoshi presented at the Isono Shrine Festival than at any other festival. The event sees a procession of floats decorated with carvings of “musha-e” warrior paintings (pictures of warriors and warlords) and “kacho” (beautiful designs with themes of flowers and birds). The sounds of taiko drumming and flutes resonate in the streets as part of the matsuri-bayashi, traditional music to stir up the atmosphere of the festival, which buzzes with people as local residents and tourists come together.
Floats from different parts of the city are presented to the shrines—notably, you can see more danjiri and mikoshi presented at the Isono Shrine Festival than at any other festival. The event sees a procession of floats decorated with carvings of “musha-e” warrior paintings (pictures of warriors and warlords) and “kacho” (beautiful designs with themes of flowers and birds). The sounds of taiko drumming and flutes resonate in the streets as part of the matsuri-bayashi, traditional music to stir up the atmosphere of the festival, which buzzes with people as local residents and tourists come together.
Highlights of the Saijo Festival
The festival starts with the Kamo Shrine Festival, which takes place on the two days before Sports Day (national holiday) each year. On the evening of the second day, the taikodai floats return to the shrine for a valiant traditional event called “kakikurabe,” in which multiple danjiri and taikodai compete with each other in power and beauty. The spectacle of them entering the shrine, known as “miya-iri,” is the first highlight.
Then comes the Iwaoka Shrine Festival on October 14 and 15, which sees danjiri and mikoshi floats gather together in the shrine grounds from daybreak to the early morning and present a simultaneous kakikurabe there. This is the high point of the Iwaoka Shrine Festival, offering an extraordinary view spread before you.
Isono Shrine Festival, which is the largest of the four, starts at around two in the morning of October 15 with an event called “miya-dashi,” meaning “leaving the shrine.” Danjiri floats, alight with more than 100 lanterns, are gallantly carried up the stone steps of the shrine entrance in an excitement-filled atmosphere.
The Iizumi Shrine Festival is the finale of the Saijo Festival. Taikodai floats decorated with gold and silver thread are presented to the shrine, and onlookers can enjoy a powerful and beautiful kakikurabe as all the taikodai floats come together, a sight unique to this festival.
Then comes the Iwaoka Shrine Festival on October 14 and 15, which sees danjiri and mikoshi floats gather together in the shrine grounds from daybreak to the early morning and present a simultaneous kakikurabe there. This is the high point of the Iwaoka Shrine Festival, offering an extraordinary view spread before you.
Isono Shrine Festival, which is the largest of the four, starts at around two in the morning of October 15 with an event called “miya-dashi,” meaning “leaving the shrine.” Danjiri floats, alight with more than 100 lanterns, are gallantly carried up the stone steps of the shrine entrance in an excitement-filled atmosphere.
The Iizumi Shrine Festival is the finale of the Saijo Festival. Taikodai floats decorated with gold and silver thread are presented to the shrine, and onlookers can enjoy a powerful and beautiful kakikurabe as all the taikodai floats come together, a sight unique to this festival.
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Between around 16:00 and 17:00 on October 16, all of the danjiri floats gather on the banks of the Kamo River that runs through the city. It’s a fantastical sight: the multitude of danjiri forming a single line on the banks, lanterns lit, to watch the portable shrine carrying the shrine god move through the area, bathed in the setting sun. Then, the danjiri surround the portable shrine in the river, as if reluctant to part with it, and delay the shrine’s crossing. The final competition of the festival takes place here, in the Kamo River, and the event comes to an end.
The greatest spectacle is the river procession on the 16th
Between around 16:00 and 17:00 on October 16, all of the danjiri floats gather on the banks of the Kamo River that runs through the city. It’s a fantastical sight: the multitude of danjiri forming a single line on the banks, lanterns lit, to watch the portable shrine carrying the shrine god move through the area, bathed in the setting sun. Then, the danjiri surround the portable shrine in the river, as if reluctant to part with it, and delay the shrine’s crossing. The final competition of the festival takes place here, in the Kamo River, and the event comes to an end.
Dates
■Kamo Shrine Festival: October 12, 13 (changes each year. The two days before Sports Day（national holiday）)
■Iwaoka Shrine Festival: October 14, 15
■Isono Shrine Festival: October 15, 16
■Iizumi Shrine Festival: October 16, 17
*These are the date for 2024
*The schedule for Iwaoka Shrine, Isono Shrine, and Iizumi Shrine is the same each year.
■Iwaoka Shrine Festival: October 14, 15
■Isono Shrine Festival: October 15, 16
■Iizumi Shrine Festival: October 16, 17
*These are the date for 2024
*The schedule for Iwaoka Shrine, Isono Shrine, and Iizumi Shrine is the same each year.
Locations and access
■Locations: Kamo Shrine, Iwaoka Shrine, Isono Shrine, and Iizumi Shrine
■Access
Kamo Shrine: Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from JR Iyo-Saijo Station
Iwaoka Shrine: Approx. 10 minutes’ walk from JR Iyo-Himi Station
Isono Shrine: Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from JR Iyo-Saijo Station
Iizumi Shrine: Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from JR Iyo-Saijo Station
*Pay attention to transport information during the festival period.
■Saijo City website festival float route
The Saijo Festival festival float route (FY2024) – Ehime Prefecture Saijo City website
https://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/soshiki/kanko/maturi-course.html (Japanese only)
(*To be updated in early October)
■Access
Kamo Shrine: Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from JR Iyo-Saijo Station
Iwaoka Shrine: Approx. 10 minutes’ walk from JR Iyo-Himi Station
Isono Shrine: Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from JR Iyo-Saijo Station
Iizumi Shrine: Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from JR Iyo-Saijo Station
*Pay attention to transport information during the festival period.
■Saijo City website festival float route
The Saijo Festival festival float route (FY2024) – Ehime Prefecture Saijo City website
https://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/soshiki/kanko/maturi-course.html (Japanese only)
(*To be updated in early October)
Sightseeing destinations to visit with the Saijo Festival
Mt. Ishizuchi is the tallest peak in western Japan. It stands on the border between Saijo City and Kumakogen Town, and has been designated “Ishizuchi Quasi-national Park.” When the weather is fine, you can look out at the Seto Inland Sea, and even see the Chugoku Region and the mountains of the Kyushu Region. There are a number of sightseeing spots in the Mt. Ishizuchi area that are must-sees, so we hope you take the chance to enjoy them.
Ishizuchi Tozan Ropeway
The ropeway is located on the route from Saijo City to Mt.Ishizuchi.
Visitors can enjoy an approximately 8-minute aerial journey from Shimotani Station (455 meters above sea level) at the foot of the mountain to Seijo Station (1,300 meters above sea level) at the summit of the mountain.
The view from the ropeway, which climbs steeply up the mountain face, is magnificent, and the temperature difference between the two stations is astonishing.
There is a walking trail that is ideal for hiking and an observatory with a 360-degree panoramic view, and in winter, a ski resort is open.
This is a great place for beginners to enjoy mountain climbing.
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.
Nishiyama Koryuji
During the spring season, the cherry blossoms in Nishiyama Koryu-ji Temple bloom beautifully. In the fall, the temple is known as the "Nishiyama Koryu-ji Temple of Maples" because of how it blends in with the surrounding mountains, making it a popular spot for photographers. The temple is home to many cultural assets, such as the main hall and the bronze bell, which offer visitors a sense of the fusion of history and nature.
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.
Ishizuchi Tozan Ropeway
The ropeway is located on the route from Saijo City to Mt.Ishizuchi.
Visitors can enjoy an approximately 8-minute aerial journey from Shimotani Station (455 meters above sea level) at the foot of the mountain to Seijo Station (1,300 meters above sea level) at the summit of the mountain.
The view from the ropeway, which climbs steeply up the mountain face, is magnificent, and the temperature difference between the two stations is astonishing.
There is a walking trail that is ideal for hiking and an observatory with a 360-degree panoramic view, and in winter, a ski resort is open.
This is a great place for beginners to enjoy mountain climbing.
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.
Nishiyama Koryuji
During the spring season, the cherry blossoms in Nishiyama Koryu-ji Temple bloom beautifully. In the fall, the temple is known as the "Nishiyama Koryu-ji Temple of Maples" because of how it blends in with the surrounding mountains, making it a popular spot for photographers. The temple is home to many cultural assets, such as the main hall and the bronze bell, which offer visitors a sense of the fusion of history and nature.
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.