June

• June 6 (If delayed by rain, June 7): Ta no Kami Festival

  • Location: Sakaori Tanada, Ena City

  • Time: 16:30-21:00

  • Entry Fee: 500 JPY

  • Details: This festival commemorates the picturesque Sakaori Tanada rice terraces, featuring local food stalls, produce, and taiko drumming. At 18:00, the entire terrace is illuminated by 100s of candles. It’s a wondrous sight to behold!

  • Note: A shuttle bus, departing Ena Station at 16:05 is provided. No returning shuttle bus is being offered at this time. Those choosing to go by car should follow the directions on the sign in front of Tada-ya to the designated parking area, then take a shuttle bus from the parking lot to the event. (Event Flyer)

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• June 13: Kawaue Katarai no Sato Onsen Festival

  • Location: Katarai no Sato, Nakatsugawa City

  • Time: 10:00-15:00

  • Entry Fee: Adults (440 JPY), Children (220 JPY), Children under primary school age enter free!

  • Details: Enjoy local foods, hot springs, and learning about health at Katarai no Sato’s Onsen Festival!

July

• July 25 (August 29, if delayed by rain): Ena-kyo Fireworks Festival

  • Location: Ena-kyo, Ena City

  • Time: Fireworks start at 19:30 and end at 20:30, shops open hours beforehand

  • Entry Fee: Free

  • Details: Have a bite of barbecued gohei-mochi or ayu (Japanese sweetfish) as the fireworks explode over the lake in Ena Gorge, reflecting off of its clear waters.

 

August

• August 12-13: Oiden Sai Festival /Fireworks Festival (Fireworks on the 12th)

  • Location: Katarai no Sato, Nakatsugawa City

  • Time: Fireworks Aug. 12, 19:30-20:15, Festival Aug. 13, 16:45-20:55

  • Entry Fee: Free

  • Details: Fireworks on Day 1, the biggest festival in town on Day 2! Taking place right on the Nakasendo, the festival features taiko drumming, mikoshi, dancing and more! (Event Flyer)

 

September

• September 19-20: Nakatsugawa Wild Wood Music Festival 2026

  • Location: Nakatsugawa Park, Nakatsugawa City

  • Time: 10:00-21:00

  • Entry Fee: Ticket Information

  • Details: Nakatsugawa’s eminent music festival, Nakatsugawa Wild Wood is a 2-day event with 3 stages, a campsite, and more! Tickets are first-come, first-serve so make sure to buy yours before they sell out! (Artist List)

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• September 27: Magome Fest 2026

  • Location: Magome Fureai-hiroba (in front of Magome Furusato Gakkou),

  • Time: 9:00-16:00

  • Entry Fee: Free

  • Details: Magome Fest is a celebration of Magome and its people. Food, music, performances, and skating are all available in plenty during its duration! The festival takes place right outside of Magome Furusato Gakkou, so guests staying the night of the 26th or 27th need simply to walk 100 or so meters down to the event!

October

• October 17-18: Tsukechi National Ladies’ Craft Fair

  • Location: Michi no Eki Hanakaido Tsukechi

  • Time: 10:00-16:00

  • Entry Fee: Free

  • Details: Held at Michi no Eki Hanakaido in the charming town of Tsukechi, the National Ladies’ Craft fair celebrates female artisans from all over the country! Ceramics, weaving, woodwork, glasswork, metalwork and more! The Ladies’ Craft Fair is a great way to both explore Japan’s native handicrafts and support its craftswomen!

  • Guests without cars can take one of several local buses to the event area. The most convenient one will be departing from Nakatsugawa Station.