In Handa City, Aichi, the Handa Spring Festival—a traditional celebration passed down since the Edo period takes place from March through May. Events take place across 10 districts in succession, with a total of 31 dashi floats appearing throughout the season. Decorated with intricate wood carvings and ornate embroidery, these floats transform the city into a lively festival stage.

A Historical Pageant Woven from Ornate Dashi Floats and Traditional Performing Arts

In each district, you can see not only dynamic dashi processions, but also traditional performances such as karakuri puppets (traditional mechanical puppet performances), sanbasō (a ritual dance), and lion dances. A highlight is the Shiohi Festival (Shiohi Matsuri) in the Kamezaki district—registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage—where five floats are dramatically pulled down to the seaside. Depending on the district, the festival also features unique customs such as sakaage (pulling floats up a steep slope toward a shrine), yoimiya (an evening pre-festival celebration), and fireworks—offering a close-up look at traditions that vary from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Key Details

Dates: Sat, March 21 – Mon, May 4, 2026
Admission: free attendance

Main Dates and Districts

March 21–22: Okkawa district (4 floats)
April 11–12: Iwaname, Iwaname Shinden, Kamihanda, Kyōwa, Narawa, Nishinarawa, Itayama districts
April 18–19: Shimohanda district
May 3–4: Kamezaki district (Shiohi Festival / 5 floats)
Also held in: Ariwaki, Hirachi, Oyachi, Karasune, and Oike districts

Notes

There is no designated spectator parking near each festival venue. Please use public transportation (JR, Meitetsu, city buses, etc.).

Access

Use the nearest station for the district you plan to visit. Major access points include Handa Station (JR Taketoyo Line) and Chita-Handa Station (Meitetsu Kōwa Line), among others (varies by venue).

Inquiries

Handa City Hall, Tourism Division: 0569-84-0689