About the festival
Kiryu Yagibushi Festival brings folk-song dancing, shrine events and street performances to the textile town. Dance stages and portable-shrine processions follow different programs.
Who is it for?
Folk-music fans and travelers interested in Kiryu's textile heritage.
Photo: xe zna · CC BY-SA 3.0
Original date: Taken on 7 August 2009. Original image or Commons thumbnail; no additional edits.
Dates and times
Usually August; exact dates announced each year
Usual season; next dates not confirmed. Times use JST. See the official programme for session times and changes.
Venue and parade route
Kiryu · 桐生
Honcho-dori and central Kiryu host dance stages and street events. Yagibushi performances continue at individual stages; portable shrines move on a separate schedule.
本町通り・桐生市街
The map pin marks a reference venue, rather than every entrance or the full parade route.
Getting there by train or bus
- Travel from Tokyo by JR or a Tobu/JR connection to Kiryu Station, then walk toward Honcho-dori.
What to see
- Yagibushi song and dance
- Street stages
- Shrine events
History and origins
The civic festival grew around Kiryu's Gion rites and the regional Yagibushi folk song.
Planning your visit
Our editorial suggestions for planning your trip.
Pick a dance stage and spend time comparing groups; portable-shrine events need their own timetable.
Places to visit nearby
Kiryu Textile Museum
桐生織物記念館
Exhibits introducing Kiryu's textile-making tradition.
Visit by day to explore the town's weaving history before the evening dancing.
These stops and the suggested order are editorial recommendations. Check each venue's opening hours and festival-day road closures before travelling.
Kiryu Yagibushi Festival: common questions
When is Kiryu Yagibushi Festival?
Usually August; exact dates announced each year This is the usual season, rather than a confirmed timetable for the next edition. Times are Japan Standard Time (JST).
Where does Kiryu Yagibushi Festival take place?
Honcho-dori and central Kiryu host dance stages and street events. Yagibushi performances continue at individual stages; portable shrines move on a separate schedule.
How do I get to Kiryu Yagibushi Festival by public transport?
Travel from Tokyo by JR or a Tobu/JR connection to Kiryu Station, then walk toward Honcho-dori.
Is Yagibushi dancing part of the portable-shrine parade?
They belong to the same festival, but stages and shrine processions have different locations and schedules.
Official sources
- Festival and visitor guide 1 (www.city.kiryu.lg.jp) ↗
- Festival and visitor guide 2 (www.city.kiryu.lg.jp) ↗
Sources reviewed: .