What it is
Saijo, a town on the northern coast of Shikoku, spends the middle of October in festival. Four shrines hold their festivals one after another, with around 150 floats in total. The biggest is the festival of Isono Shrine on October 15 and 16.
More than 80 floats, called danjiri, take part, carried through the streets by neighborhood teams and hung with lanterns after dark. On the afternoon of October 16, they gather on the banks of the Kamo River for the kawairi. As the shrine’s mikoshi crosses the river back toward the shrine, the floats press in around it, as if unwilling to let the kami leave.
The festival at a glance
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Oct 15 | Floats gather: The danjiri floats and mikoshi set out through the town from before dawn |
| Oct 16, afternoon | Kawairi: Floats line the Kamo River as the mikoshi crosses the water back to the shrine |
Which day should you go?
Oct 16, afternoon
The Kawairi on the riverbank is the climax. Arrive early to find a spot along the Kamo River.
Oct 15, before dawn
Floats lit by lanterns move through the dark streets on their way to the shrine.
What to look for
The danjiri
Wooden floats covered in fine carving, carried on the shoulders of local teams and lit by lanterns at night.
The farewell
At the river, the floats try to hold back the mikoshi as it returns to the shrine, in a show of reluctance to let the kami go.
A week of festivals
Saijo holds festivals for four shrines in mid-October. The Isono Shrine festival is the largest.
Getting there & where to stay
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Okayama | JR Limited Express Shiokaze to Iyo-Saijō | about 1 h 30 min |
| Matsuyama | JR Limited Express to Iyo-Saijō | about 1 h |
On the day. Isono Shrine and the main streets are a short walk or taxi ride from Iyo-Saijō Station. The floats start moving before dawn.
Crowds. The floats entering the Kamo River on the evening of October 16 draw the biggest crowds.
Where to stay
Saijō
Stay close to see the floats before dawn.
Matsuyama
A larger city with the Dōgo Onsen hot springs, about 1 hour away.
When to book. Saijō's hotels fill quickly. Book 2–3 months ahead.
Times are typical fastest routes. Check current timetables before you travel.
Glossary
Danjiriだんじり
A heavy carved wooden festival cart pulled at speed by teams with ropes, famous in the Osaka region.
Mikoshi神輿
A portable shrine. During the festival the kami rides inside while people carry it through the neighborhood.
Matsuri祭り
A Japanese festival, usually held for the kami of a local shrine. The word comes from the idea of serving and entertaining the gods.
References
- Iyo-kan Net (Ehime tourism): Saijo Matsuri, https://www.iyokannet.jp/event/2552
- Saijo City: tourism information.
- Matsuri Stream (Nippon Matsuri Network): Saijo Matsuri.
Last checked 2026-10-13.