Nikko Toshogu Shrine Spring Festival 2025

Event date:
May 17, 2025 at 10:03 pm
Event end:
May 18, 2025 at 10:03 pm

Dates: May 17 (Saturday) – May 18 (Sunday), 2025
Location: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture

The Nikko Toshogu Shrine Spring Festival is an annual celebration featuring traditional rituals, parades, and cultural performances that honor the spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Held on May 17th and 18th every year, the festival draws large crowds who come to witness historic processions and ceremonies.

Festival Highlights

Hundred and One Thousand Warriors Procession (Mikoshi Togyosai)
On May 18th, the festival’s highlight is the “Mikoshi Togyosai” — a reenactment of the historic procession that reburied Tokugawa Ieyasu from Mount Kuno to Nikko. Over 1,200 participants, including priests on horseback, armored warriors, archers, spear bearers, and lions, carry mikoshi (portable shrines) in a grand procession from Futarasan Shrine to the Otabisho Shrine, located over one kilometer away.

When the procession reaches Otabisho, an offering called Sanbondate Nanajugozen is made, followed by the Otabisho Festival, where two traditional dances — the Yaotome Dance and Azuma Asobi Dance — are performed.

Yabusame Ritual
On May 17th, the Yabusame ritual takes place. This traditional event features archers shooting at targets while riding horseback along the Omotesando. It’s an exciting and culturally significant event showcasing ancient Japanese martial arts.

Event Schedule

Friday, May 17th:
- Yabusame Ritual: 13:30 – 14:30 at Omotesando (Yamauchi)
- Offering of Offerings and Yoinari Festival
Saturday, May 18th:
- Mikoshi Procession: 11:00 – 11:40 from Nitarayama Shrine to Otabisho
- Otabisho Festival: 12:00 – 12:40 at Otabisho
- Return Procession: 13:00 – 13:30 from Otabisho to Toshogu Shrine
- Note: Event times are tentative.

Access

By Train and Bus:
From JR Nikko Line Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Line Tobu Nikko Station, take the Tobu Bus bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen for about 6 minutes. Get off at “Yasukawacho” and walk for 5 minutes. Alternatively, take the World Heritage Tour Bus, get off at “Nishi-sando,” and walk for 5 minutes.
By Car:
Approximately 5 minutes from Nikko IC on the Nikko Utsunomiya Expressway.

Additional Information

Address: 2301 Yamauchi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, 321-1431
Contact: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, TEL 0288-54-0560
Official Website: www.toshogu.jp

The Nikko Toshogu Shrine Spring Festival is a spectacular way to experience Japanese culture and history, with a combination of awe-inspiring processions, performances, and sacred rituals.