Shimane festival calendar

Month by month: when each event is usually held, and the dates we have confirmed.

Dates can change. Check the official website before you go.

January

Kicchosan and Bannai (New Year Banners and Demon Procession) Usually early January · Please check the official website for dates.

Matsue Castle Festival (Oshiro Matsuri) Usually late March · Please check the official website for dates.
Oda Higan Market (Spring) Usually late March · Please check the official website for dates.

Aofushigaki Shinji (Green Brushwood Fence Ritual) at Miho Shrine Usually early April · Please check the official website for dates.
Matsue Samurai Procession (Horio Yoshiharu Procession) Ended Usually early April Sat, Apr 4, 2026Sat, Apr 3, 2027
Yabusame Horseback Archery at Washibara Hachimangu Shrine Ended Usually early April Sun, Apr 5, 2026
Renge-e Mai Dances at Oki Kokubunji Temple Usually late April · Please check the official website for dates.

Kawado Suijin Festival (River Water God Festival) Usually early May · Please check the official website for dates.
Izumo Taisha Grand Annual Festival (Daisairei) Ended Usually mid May May 13–18, 2026
Shima Matsuri Island Festival (Oki Shigesa-bushi National Contest) Usually mid May · Please check the official website for dates.

Goryoe Furyu Festival at Tamawakasu-no-Mikoto Shrine Usually early June · Please check the official website for dates.

Kanekobara Mushi-okuri Odori (Insect-Banishing Dance) Usually late July · Please check the official website for dates.
Sagi-mai Heron Dance (Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival) Usually late July · Please check the official website for dates.
Nijusanya Festival at Takuhi Shrine, Kamo Usually late July · Please check the official website for dates.
Hirose Gion Festival Usually late July · Please check the official website for dates.

Sekishu Hamakko Summer Festival Ended Usually early August Sat, Aug 1, 2026
Matsue Suigo-sai (Lake Shinji Fireworks Festival) Ended Usually early August Aug 1–2, 2026Jul 31 – Aug 1, 2027
Gonokawa Festival Ended Usually mid August Sun, Aug 16, 2026
Yasugi Tsukinowa Festival (Tsukinowa Shinji) Ended Usually mid August Aug 8–17, 2026
Ooro Atago Bayashi Usually late August · Please check the official website for dates.

Kakinomoto Shrine Hassaku Festival (Yabusame Horseback Archery) Usually early September · Please check the official website for dates.
Dangyo Shrine Hassaku Festival (Bull Sumo) Usually early September · Please check the official website for dates.
Gozagae-sai and Sada Shin Noh at Sada Shrine Usually late September · Please check the official website for dates.

Matsue Festival Do Drum Parade Usually mid October Sun, Oct 18, 2026
Furyu Procession of the Two Hachimangu Shrines of Oda Usually mid October · Please check the official website for dates.

Hime-no-ii Shinji at Yurai Hachimangu Shrine Usually early November · Please check the official website for dates.
Masuda Tenmangu Festival (Masuda Nanao Matsuri) Usually early November · Please check the official website for dates.
Kamiari-sai at Izumo Taisha (Gathering of the Gods) Usually mid November Nov 18–25, 2026

Morotabune Shinji (Twin-Hulled Boat Rite) at Miho Shrine Usually early December · Please check the official website for dates.