# Nada Kenka Matsuri

> Three portable shrines slammed into one another at Matsubara Hachiman shrine in Himeji, deliberately and repeatedly.

- Prefecture: Hyogo
- Type: Float procession
- Admission: Free to attend
- Typically held: Held every year on 14 and 15 October.
- Official site: https://www.nadamatsuri.jp/

## Dates

- 2026-10-14 to 2026-10-15
- Status: confirmed
- Dates verified on 2026-08-20 from https://www.nadamatsuri.jp/

The name means fighting festival and it is meant literally. Three mikoshi are carried at a run and driven into each other hard enough to splinter wood, because the belief is that a god enjoys a rough ride and rewards the village that gives one. Alongside the shrines come seven yatai, ornate floats representing the old villages of the district, each carried by dozens of men. Injuries happen. This is not a festival that has been sanded down for visitors, and the grandstand seating exists partly because standing too close is genuinely unwise.

## Where it happens
- Himeji Castle

## FAQ

### When is the Nada Kenka Matsuri?

On 14 and 15 October every year, at Matsubara Hachiman shrine in Himeji. The 15th is the day the shrines are driven into each other.

### Is it safe to watch?

From the grandstands or the hillside, yes. Close to the ground where the shrines collide, less so. Follow the marshals and do not try to hold a spot at the barrier.

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Source: Nada Kenka Matsuri — Japan Voyage