Written by JC Team
The Nippon Domannaka Festival (called the Domatsuri for short) is the largest team dance festival in the Chūbu region of central Japan and one of Nagoya‘s most well-known events.
What happens?
Having started in 1999, the festival is open to a wide variety of dance styles and features teams from throughout Japan and also from overseas. In normal years, the 23,000 performers attract an estimated audience of 1.85 million people.
The only rules are that the dance teams have costumes reflecting their local traditions and that they carry a naruko (small clapper).
Suggested Activity
Make Maki-e Urushi Lacquer Art in Kyoto
Learn the art of maki-e, one of Japan's traditional decoration methods applied to lacquerware. This workshop — taught in English — is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about Japanese art and make their own special souvenirs.
Schedule 2025
This year the festival will be held over three days in Hisaya Odori Park and other venues in Nagoya.
If you’re looking for something to do in Aichi’s biggest city, check our events in Nagoya section.
Aug 29–Aug 31, 2025
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5:00pm – 9:00pm
9:00am – 9:00pm
9:00am – 9:00pm
にっぽんど真ん中祭り
Free
- 378 m from Hisaya-ōdōri Station Meijō Line (M1)Sakura-dōri Line (S5)
- 0.6 km from Shiyakusho (City Hall) Station Meijō Line (M1)
- 0.8 km from Takaoka Station Sakura-dōri Line (S6)
Typical weather at this time:
High: 28 ºC
Low: 24 ºC
