If you are planning to visit Japan in May 2025, don’t miss the Waka Festival (Wakamatsuri) in Wakayama City.
Held at Kishu Toshogu Shrine and the Wakaura seaside area, this spectacular festival has been celebrated for over 400 years since 1622.
It is one of the most exciting traditional events in Kansai, combining sacred rituals, dynamic performances, and a lively parade.
Highlights of the Waka Festival
1. The Thrilling “Mikoshi Descent”
1. The Thrilling “Mikoshi Descent”
The most breathtaking moment of the festival is when portable shrines (mikoshi) are carried down the 108 stone steps of Kishu Toshogu Shrine.
The intense energy, the sound of drums, and the sight of the shrines rushing downhill will leave you amazed.
📸 This is the perfect photo opportunity—many travelers and photographers come just for this scene.
📍 Kishu Toshogu Shrine
2-1-20 Wakauranishi, Wakayama City
2. The Grand Parade (Togyo Gyoretsu)
2. The Grand Parade Through Wakaura
From noon to late afternoon, the Togyo Procession fills the streets of Wakaura with sound and color.
Around 40 traditional performance groups (called “Kabu”) join the parade, featuring taiko drumming, Saika Odori dances, naginata martial arts, and more.
In previous years, even Japanese celebrities such as actor Ken Matsudaira have taken part, reenacting Tokugawa Yoshimune and leading the grand parade of more than 1,000 participants.
🎥 Watch a highlight video:
Waka Festival 2025 – Date and Schedule
📅 Date: Sunday, May 11, 2025
📍 Location: Kishu Toshogu Shrine & Wakaura area
⏰ Schedule
- 11:00 AM – Mikoshi Descent (108 stone steps at Kishu Toshogu Shrine)
- 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Grand Parade (Wakaura streets)
🚩 Procession Route (planned):
Kishu Toshogu Shrine → Wakaura Fishing Port → Kataonami → Ashibe Street → back to Kishu Toshogu Shrine
(route may change slightly)
📸 Other events include traditional stage performances and a photo contest.
Cultural Significance of Waka Festival
The Waka Festival’s unique feature is the “Kabu” groups, which are performance guilds that have been handed down for generations since the Edo period.
They include martial arts, dances, and rituals originally practiced by retainers of the Kishu Tokugawa clan.
Even today, local communities preserve this heritage and pass it on to younger generations—making the festival a true “living cultural treasure.”
Access Information – How to Get There
📍 Address: 2-1-20 Wakauranishi, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
📞 Tel: +81-73-444-0808 (Kishu Toshogu Shrine)
💴 Admission: Free
🚉 By Public Transport
- From JR Wakayama Station: Take a bus (approx. 25 min) → get off at Gongen-mae, 1-min walk
- Or bus (approx. 20 min) → get off at Wakaura-guchi, 8-min walk
🚗 By Car
- About 8 km from Wakayama IC (Hanwa Expressway)
- Parking available at Kataonami Beach Parking and Manyokan Parking, but note that exiting may be difficult during the festival
Conclusion – Experience Real Japanese Tradition in 2025
From the breathtaking Mikoshi Descent to the vibrant Grand Parade, Waka Festival is a dynamic celebration of Wakayama’s cultural heritage.
If you want to witness an authentic Japanese festival beyond Kyoto and Tokyo, Waka Festival in Wakayama is a must-see.
