Summary
- Traditional autumn festival schedule in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture
- Organized by three shrine areas (Kamo, Iwaoka, Isono) and chronologically by date
- 38 events featuring up to 81 ornate danjiri floats
The Saijo Festival is a traditional autumn celebration in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, with over 300 years of history. Magnificent ornate floats called "danjiri" parade through the city streets with spirited chants.
This guide covers all 38 events from October 11-16, 2025, with times, locations, and danjiri counts for the three shrine areas.
Events marked with āļø are spectacular highlights where numerous danjiri gather.
- š View by Date
- š View by Shrine Area
š Related Articles
If you're interested in Ehime Prefecture's drum festivals, check out
š Niihama Taiko Festival Complete Schedule Guide - October 15-18, featuring up to 20 magnificent 3-ton taiko floats in spectacular performances
š Mishima Kawanoe Taiko Festival Complete Schedule Guide - October 20-23, traditional festival in Shikokuchuo City featuring up to 12 taiko floats across three districts (Mishima, Toyooka, Sangawa)
š Complete Schedule (Chronological Order)
All 38 events organized chronologically by date, allowing you to see the festival flow across all shrine areas.
October 11 (Saturday)
| Time | Shrine | Location | Danjiri Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Kamo | Each neighborhood taiko operation | 5 |
October 12 (Sunday)
| Time | Shrine | Location | Danjiri Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:45 | Kamo | āļø Kamo Shrine | 5 |
| 9:30 | Kamo | Kamo River Bed | 5 |
| 11:30 | Kamo | Kojin Shrine | 5 |
| 13:45 | Kamo | Takamaru | 5 |
| 14:45 | Kamo | āļø Namba | 5 |
| 16:15 | Kamo | Teizui-shita | 5 |
| 17:30 | Kamo | āļø Kamo Shrine | 5 |
October 14 (Tuesday)
| Time | Shrine | Location | Danjiri Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30 | Iwaoka | Each neighborhood operation | 29 |
October 15 (Wednesday)
| Time | Shrine | Location | Danjiri Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00 ~ 4:00 | Iwaoka | Iwaoka Shrine Plaza | 29 |
| 2:00 ~ 6:00 | Isono | āļø Isono Shrine Entrance | 81 |
| 5:10 ~ 6:10 | Iwaoka | āļø Otabisho | 29 |
| 8:30 | Iwaoka | Youth Center | 29 |
| 10:20 | Iwaoka | Split at Yamaguchi | 29 |
| 10:50 | Iwaoka | Shinmachi | 29 |
| 11:00 | Iwaoka | Nishi-machi | 29 |
| 12:20 | Iwaoka | Split at Nishinohara | 29 |
| 12:40 | Iwaoka | Split at Doi | 29 |
| 14:00 | Iwaoka | Ebisu Embankment | 29 |
| 14:30 | Iwaoka | āļø Kanpai Bridge Crossing | 29 |
| 15:40 | Iwaoka | āļø Iwaoka Shrine Plaza | 29 |
| 17:30 | Iwaoka | Iwaoka Shrine | 29 |
October 16 (Thursday)
| Time | Shrine | Location | Danjiri Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:40 ~ 4:35 | Isono | āļø Otabisho | 81 |
| 5:25 | Isono | Nobori Road | 81 |
| 5:45 | Isono | Fuda-no-tsuji | 81 |
| 5:50 | Isono | Taketsuru Shrine | 81 |
| 6:15 | Isono | Uoya-machi | 81 |
| 6:30 ~ 9:30 | Isono | āļø Saijo High School | 81 |
| 10:10 | Isono | Dobashi | 81 |
| 10:30 | Isono | Hinokuchi | 81 |
| 11:05 | Isono | Fukukawa Tamatsubashi | 81 |
| 11:30 | Isono | Yokoguro | 81 |
| 11:55 ~ 13:00 | Isono | Tamatsu | 81 |
| 13:20 | Isono | Myojingi | 81 |
| 13:45 | Isono | Nakanomachi Ogawa | 81 |
| 14:05 | Isono | Omachi Yotsutsuji | 81 |
| 15:10 | Isono | Kamo River Embankment | 81 |
| 17:15 | Isono | āļø Kawa-iri (River Entry) | 81 |
| 17:30 | Isono | Departure from River | 81 |
| 18:00 | Isono | Return to Each Shrine | 81 |
How to Read the Table
- Shrine Colors: Kamo (Kamo Shrine, blue), Iwaoka (Iwaoka Shrine, green), Isono (Isono Shrine, orange)
- āļø Marks: Events with āļø symbols are spectacular highlights featuring numerous danjiri
- Multiple Events: Some time slots have simultaneous events in different shrine areas
Detailed Schedule by Shrine Area
Detailed schedule for each shrine area organized by date.
Kamo Shrine (Kamo-jinja) Schedule
The Kamo Shrine area features 5 taiko floats.
October 11 (Saturday)
| Time | Location | Taiko Count |
|---|---|---|
| - | Each neighborhood taiko operation | 5 |
October 12 (Sunday)
| Time | Location | Taiko Count |
|---|---|---|
| 7:45 | āļø Kamo Shrine | 5 |
| 9:30 | Kamo River Bed | 5 |
| 11:30 | Kojin Shrine | 5 |
| 13:45 | Takamaru | 5 |
| 14:45 | āļø Namba | 5 |
| 16:15 | Teizui-shita | 5 |
| 17:30 | āļø Kamo Shrine | 5 |
Kamo Shrine Area Highlights
- Kamo Shrine Entry (10/12 7:45 AM): Sacred ceremony marking the festival's beginning
- Namba (10/12 2:45 PM): Spectacular gathering of all 5 taiko floats
- Kamo Shrine Return (10/12 5:30 PM): Final shrine entry closing the day
Iwaoka Shrine (Iwaoka-jinja) Schedule
The Iwaoka Shrine area features 29 danjiri floats.
October 14 (Tuesday)
| Time | Location | Danjiri Count |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 | Each neighborhood operation | 29 |
October 15 (Wednesday)
| Time | Location | Danjiri Count |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 ~ 4:00 | Iwaoka Shrine Plaza | 29 |
| 5:10 ~ 6:10 | āļø Otabisho | 29 |
| 8:30 | Youth Center | 29 |
| 10:20 | Split at Yamaguchi | 29 |
| 10:50 | Shinmachi | 29 |
| 11:00 | Nishi-machi | 29 |
| 12:20 | Split at Nishinohara | 29 |
| 12:40 | Split at Doi | 29 |
| 14:00 | Ebisu Embankment | 29 |
| 14:30 | āļø Kanpai Bridge Crossing | 29 |
| 15:40 | āļø Iwaoka Shrine Plaza | 29 |
| 17:30 | Iwaoka Shrine | 29 |
Iwaoka Shrine Area Highlights
- Otabisho (10/15 early morning 5:10-6:10 AM): Sacred early morning ceremony with all 29 danjiri
- Kanpai Bridge Crossing (10/15 2:30 PM): Spectacular scene of danjiri crossing the bridge
- Iwaoka Shrine Plaza (10/15 3:40 PM): Festival climax with 29 danjiri gathering
Isono Shrine (Isono-jinja) Schedule
The Isono Shrine area features the largest number - 81 danjiri floats.
October 15 (Wednesday)
| Time | Location | Danjiri Count |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 ~ 6:00 | āļø Isono Shrine Entrance | 81 |
October 16 (Thursday)
| Time | Location | Danjiri Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1:40 ~ 4:35 | āļø Otabisho | 81 |
| 5:25 | Nobori Road | 81 |
| 5:45 | Fuda-no-tsuji | 81 |
| 5:50 | Taketsuru Shrine | 81 |
| 6:15 | Uoya-machi | 81 |
| 6:30 ~ 9:30 | āļø Saijo High School | 81 |
| 10:10 | Dobashi | 81 |
| 10:30 | Hinokuchi | 81 |
| 11:05 | Fukukawa Tamatsubashi | 81 |
| 11:30 | Yokoguro | 81 |
| 11:55 ~ 13:00 | Tamatsu | 81 |
| 13:20 | Myojingi | 81 |
| 13:45 | Nakanomachi Ogawa | 81 |
| 14:05 | Omachi Yotsutsuji | 81 |
| 15:10 | Kamo River Embankment | 81 |
| 17:15 | āļø Kawa-iri (River Entry) | 81 |
| 17:30 | Departure from River | 81 |
| 18:00 | Return to Each Shrine | 81 |
Isono Shrine Area Highlights
- Otabisho (10/16 late night 1:40-4:35 AM): Mystical late-night atmosphere with all 81 danjiri - the festival's largest gathering
- Saijo High School (10/16 early morning 6:30-9:30 AM): Spectacular assembly of all 81 danjiri in one location
- Kawaā-āiri ā(āRiver Entryā)ā (10/16 evening 5:15 PM): Festival climax - breathtaking scene of danjiri entering the Kamo River
š Viewing Tips
Best Times to Visit
- Early Morning Dedications (2:00-6:00 AM): Experience the solemn sacred atmosphere
- Daytime Shrine Visits (10:00-3:00 PM): See every detail in bright daylight
- Kawaā-āiri ā(āRiver Entryā)ā (5:00-6:00 PM): Festival climax - breathtaking river scene
Important Notes
- Stay clear of the danjiri paths for safety
- Keep children close in crowded areas
- Dispose of trash properly
- Be considerate when taking photos - don't block other viewers
š Understanding the Festival
What is a Danjiri?
The festival floats (danjiri) are elaborate structures decorated with gold leaf, colored tapestries, and intricate carvings. Each float represents a neighborhood's pride and takes numerous people to carry and maneuver.
What is Kawa-iri (River Entry)?
"Kawa-iri" (å·å „ć) is the festival's most spectacular event where all 81 danjiri from the Isono Shrine area enter the Kamo River. This tradition creates the festival's most breathtaking moment, combining physical prowess with visual beauty.
ā Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Saijo Festival held?
The Saijo Festival is held annually in mid-October. In 2025, the festival runs from October 11-16, with different shrine areas having events on different days.
What's the difference between the three shrine areas?
The festival is organized around three main shrines
- Kamo Shrine: 5 taiko floats, October 11-12
- Iwaoka Shrine: 29 danjiri floats, October 14-15
- Isono Shrine: 81 danjiri floats, October 15-16 (largest)
What is the best viewing spot?
The most spectacular events are
- Kawaā-āiri (River Entry) at Kamo River - October 16, 5:15 PM
- Saijo High School gathering - October 16, 6:30-9:30 AM
- Otabisho ceremonies - Early morning on October 15 and 16
Is it crowded?
Yes, especially during the highlight events like Kawa-iri and Saijo High School gathering. The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. Arrive early for popular events to secure a good viewing spot.
Can tourists participate?
The actual float-carrying is reserved for local residents, but if you're living in Saijo City, you may be able to join your neighborhood's team - foreign residents do participate and carry danjiri alongside Japanese neighbors! This is a wonderful way to become part of the community.
For visitors staying temporarily, you're warmly welcomed as spectators. The festival atmosphere is very friendly and photo-friendly.
š Make the Most of Your Visit
The Saijo Festival offers a rare glimpse into Japanese tradition and community spirit. The combination of physical prowess, artistic beauty, and cultural heritage creates an unforgettable experience.
Especially the Isono Shrine's "Kawa-iri" (River Entry) is the festival's greatest spectacle. The sight of 81 danjiri entering the Kamo River is absolutely breathtaking.
Use this schedule to find your favorite events and fully enjoy the autumn in Saijo.
š Official Schedule
This article is based on the official Saijo City festival schedule. For the latest information and details, please refer to the official information below.
š Official Saijo Festival Schedule (PDF, Japanese)
Please Note
This schedule is current as of 2025. Events may change due to weather or other circumstances. Please check with official sources for the most current information on the day of your visit.