Three Special Experiences to Enjoy the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Ueno Tenjin Matsuri' as a Member of the Community, Not Just by Watching

The Ueno Tenjin Festival, the largest autumn festival in Iga Ueno, boasts a history of over 400 years.

At Nipponia Hotel Iga Ueno Castle Town, we have prepared three exclusive activities for guests to closely experience the Ueno Tenjin Festival in 2026.

From participating in the main festival's float procession to enjoying a special experience enveloped in lights during the evening, and even touching upon the practice of the music that supports the festival.

Please enjoy the time to step into the culture that has been passed down in Iga Ueno, not just by 'watching' the festival, but by interacting with the local people.

What is the Ueno Tenjin Festival?

The 'Ueno Tenjin Festival' is the largest autumn festival in Iga Ueno, boasting a history of over 400 years, and is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The sight of the vibrant and luxurious floats and the powerful procession of over a hundred demons parading through the castle town is breathtaking.

October 25, 2026 (Sun) held
Nishimachi Main Festival Danjiri Parade Experience

This is a recommended experience for those who want to feel the excitement of the festival up close on the day of the main event.

Dressed in the same happi as the locals, you can participate in the actual danjiri procession. You can enjoy being part of the festival alongside the community while feeling the danjiri as it moves through the castle town.

When parked, it is also possible to experience riding on a danjiri and take commemorative photos.

• experience period
  October 25, 2026 (Sunday)
• Event time
  Morning session 9:00–12:30
  Afternoon session 13:30–16:30
  All day 9:00–16:30
• Experience fee
  Adults: 3,500 yen each for morning/afternoon / 6,000 yen for all day
  Children: 1,500 yen each for morning/afternoon / 2,500 yen for all day
  <English support>
  If you would like English support, please write in the remarks section (no additional charge).
• Number of acceptances
  Up to 10 people (elementary school students and above)
• Reservation Method
  This experience is limited to hotel guests.
  Please apply using the activity reservation form below after completing your hotel stay reservation.
  Note that simply responding to the above form does not complete your hotel reservation.

For more details

October 24, 2026 (Saturday)
Special experience of the night festival danjiri procession

This is a special experience that fully enjoys the evening festival as it changes its expression from day to night.

From a special viewing area exclusively for guests, you can closely observe the danjiri while listening to explanations about the festival from local residents, as well as experience riding on the danjiri.

In the evening, we will participate in the night festival procession with the local people, alongside the danjiri illuminated by lanterns.

This is recommended for those who want to thoroughly understand the festival while experiencing both its splendor and excitement.

• experience period
  October 24, 2026 (Saturday)
• Event time
  from 3:00 PM to around 8:00 PM
• Experience fee
  Adults 8,000 yen/person
  Elementary school students and above 3,000 yen/person
  ※Free for preschool children
  
  ＜Regarding English support＞※Reservation required
  For an additional fee of 3,000 yen/person (adults only), you can use an English guide.
  If you wish to use this service, please fill in the remarks section.
• Number of acceptances
  Up to 10 people (elementary school students and above)

For more details

To be held in October 2026
Autumn nighttime traditional music experience

This is a night experience that allows you to touch the daily lives of the people who support the festival in Iga Ueno before the main festival.

This is an experience that touches on the "practice time" that supports the main festival. During the period before the main festival, you can observe the local music practice and participate in a bell performance. There will also be a visit to the float storage and hospitality with tea from Kogetsudo and a traditional sweet called dechi yokan.

You can enjoy a time that blends into the local daily life, which is quite different from the vibrant festival itself.

• experience period
  From October 4 (Sunday) to October 17 (Saturday)
  ※ Excluding October 8 (Thursday), 11 (Sunday), 13 (Tuesday), and 15 (Thursday)
• Event time
  From 20:00 to around 21:15
• Experience fee
  Adults 3,500 yen/person
  Children (up to middle school) 1,500 yen/person
  ※Free for preschoolers
  
  ＜Regarding English support＞※Reservation required
  If you wish, please fill in the remarks section (4,000 yen per group).
• Number of acceptances
  Up to 6 guests per day.

Reserve a dedicated plan

For more details

The three experiences are exclusively for guests staying at Nipponia Hotel Iga Ueno Castle Town.

Join the excitement of the main festival, enjoy the fantastical night parade, and experience the daily life leading up to the festival with traditional music.

Enjoy the autumn of Iga Ueno, which has been passed down for over 400 years, while encountering the different expressions of the Ueno Tenjin Festival that vary by day.