Kambara Festival

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Kambara Festival

Japan’s highest number of food stalls and 800 years of traditions to behold at the jaw-dropping Kambara Festival.

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The Kambara Festival is a legendary event ranked one of the Three Great Festivals of Niigata (Niigata Sandai Takamachi) alongside the Murakami Grand Festival in Murakami City and the Enma Market in Kashiwazaki City. Catch the event from June 30 to July 2 at Kambara Shrine and surrounding grounds, drawing a whopping number of some 340,000 visitors each year.

Savvy travelers know that one of the biggest draws here is the sheer scale of the food stalls. The walk up to the shrine is flanked with some 400 stalls as well as out along the main road in front, stretching a total length of about 1 km. Grab a local delight like "Poppo-yaki," a Niigata specialty bite made from flour and brown sugar, or head over for a waltz down memory lane at the haunted houses and shooting galleries. The stalls remain open until around 11pm. making for a steady buzzing energy until night. Expect heavier crowds, especially between 6pm and 9pm, and possible modified traffic guidance making the walk up to the shrine one-way only.

Swing by on July 1st for the Otaku-sen event at Kambara Shrine, a fascinating ritual said to predict the year's rice harvest, and on July 2, head up for a number of authentic rites like Kagura dance performances to pray for a bountiful harvest and more. The Otaku-sen ritual has stayed in practice for 800 years since the Kamakura period and is particularly noteworthy. Given the closure of nearby parking lots during the festival, using public transportation is highly recommended.

Highlights

  • Festival held in and around Kambara Shrine grounds.
  • Over 400 stalls line the streets for about 1 km, attracting around 340,000 visitors annually.
  • Shrine walkup may become one-way only during peak hours to regulate crowds.
  • The shrine hosts traditional ceremonies with over 800 years of history.
  • Public transportation is recommended as there are no available parking lots.

Photos

  • The streets filled with food stalls and crowds, continuing into the night.

    The streets filled with food stalls and crowds, continuing into the night.

  • The Yoimiya nobori procession.

    The Yoimiya nobori procession.

  • The impressive 1 km stretch of 400 stalls.

    The impressive 1 km stretch of 400 stalls.

  • The traditional "Otaku-sen" ritual.

    The traditional "Otaku-sen" ritual.

  • Kagura performances praying for a bountiful harvest.

    Kagura performances praying for a bountiful harvest.

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Details

Name in Japanese
蒲原まつり
Postal Code
950-0085
Location
3-18 Nagaminemachi, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata (Kambara Shrine and its surroundings)
Telephone
025-246-8602 (Kanbara Festival Executive Committee)
Schedule
From June 30 to July 2
Access
About 11 minutes walk from JR any Line’s Niigata Station.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)