Reference photo of the festival: Yagorodon and drums on the shrine grounds
Soo City's 2026 Yagorodon Festival: From Late-Night Drums to the Hamakudari Procession
The Yagorodon Festival will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Iwakawa Hachiman Shrine in Soo City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Visitors can follow the giant figure of Yagorodon throughout the day as he awakens and marches through the town, from the herald drums at 1:00 AM and the morning rising ceremony to the afternoon "Hamakudari" procession.
- Venue
- Iwakawa Hachiman Shrine
- Admission & participation
- Admission is listed as free of charge.
HIGHLIGHTS
Event highlights
From late-night herald drums to raising the giant figure on the shrine grounds
Held annually on November 3, the Yagorodon Festival boasts over 900 years of tradition and is recognized as one of Kagoshima Prefecture's three major festivals. From the earliest rituals to the afternoon procession, the festival's stages and highlights shift as the day progresses.
At 1:00 AM, the festival begins with the beating of herald drums announcing "Yagorodon is waking up!" to stir the giant from his slumber. Around 6:00 AM, fully dressed, Yagorodon is pulled upright with ropes on the grounds of Iwakawa Hachiman Shrine, his colossal frame slowly rising into place. The awakening drums and the dramatic raising of this massive figure form the key highlights of the festival's early hours.
Yagorodon is a giant standing 4.85 meters tall, draped in 25 bolts of plum-dyed fabric. Towering far above the spectators, the sheer volume and rich color of his robes are just as striking as his height. Watching him rise on the shrine grounds lets visitors experience his immense scale up close.
The afternoon "Hamakudari" procession through the streets
In the afternoon, the festival transitions to the "Hamakudari" procession, during which Yagorodon departs Hachiman Shrine and parades through the town streets for roughly three hours. In contrast to the morning ceremony within the shrine grounds, the sight of this colossal figure moving through town surrounded by spectators is the central highlight of the procession. Visitors can plan their arrival around what they wish to see most—the late-night and dawn rituals, or the lively afternoon parade.
In 1992, Yagorodon gained international attention after representing Japan at the World Giants Gathering in Barcelona, Spain. Knowing this history alongside his towering 4.85-meter height makes watching the star of the festival march through the streets all the more compelling.
The festival is held at Iwakawa Hachiman Shrine. By car, it is about a 5-minute drive from the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway's Soo Yagoro IC, and parking is listed as available. Admission is listed as free.
EVENT INFORMATION
Dates & participation
Official title2026 弥五郎どん祭り (ヤゴロウドンマツリ)
| Event Dates | 2026-11-03 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Iwakawa Hachiman Shrine |
| Fees & Participation | Free |
| Address |
Fees & admission details
Admission
- Admission
- Free
Hours, admission rules, and ticket availability are subject to change. Please check the official website before heading out.
ACCESS
How to get there
Step-by-step guide
Plan Around What You Want to See
- 01
Choose Your Timing
Plan your visit around the moments you want to see most, whether it is the 1:00 AM herald drums, the rising ceremony around 6:00 AM, or the afternoon Hamakudari procession.
- 02
Catch the Afternoon Procession
The Hamakudari procession departs Hachiman Shrine and winds through the town streets for approximately three hours.
- 03
Check Driving Access
About a 5-minute drive from Soo Yagoro IC on the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway. Parking is listed as available.
Detailed access info
Please check the official event guide for the venue's detailed address and access information.
Iwakawa Hachiman Shrine
Google Maps search result for the venue name. Please also check official sources for the address, specific hall/room, and entrance location.