Written by Aarohi Narain
A colorful summer festival where ancient rituals meet glowing lanterns, dynamic portable shrine processions, and a fireworks finale over the hot spring town of Kinugawa Onsen.
What happens?
The Ryuou (Dragon King) Festival unfolds across Kinugawa Onsen, Kawaji Onsen, and Ryūōkyō Canyon in Tochigi. It begins with a sacred Shinto ritual at Goryuo Shrine, deep in the dramatic landscape of Ryūōkyō Canyon. A priest from the renowned Nikkō Tōshō-gū leads the ceremony.
As evening falls, the Manto Mikoshi, a massive portable shrine, glows as it weaves through the town, carried by groups of revelers. Adding to the spectacle is the Onna-Taru Mikoshi procession, a women-only affair involving carrying barrels of sake — count us in.
Beyond the processions, the festival offers folk entertainment performances, where you can watch traditional dance, music, and theatrical acts. Finally, fireworks explode over the hot spring town, painting the night sky in dazzling colors. It’s a breathtaking moment — one you’ll want to soak in (perhaps literally, with a post-festival dip in the onsen).
Pro tip: Check out our guide to Nikkō and Kinugawa Onsen.
How to get there
Take the Tobu Limited Express from Asakusa to Kinugawa-Onsen Station (around 2 hours). The main festival areas are Kinugawa Kawaji Tourist Information Center (a minute away from the station) and around Kurogane Bridge (20 minutes on foot).
The Shinto ritual takes place at Ryūōkyō Canyon. To get there, take the local Tobu-Kinagawa Line headed in the direction of Aizu-Tajima. Get off at Ryūōkyō Station and walk about 8 minutes to the canyon. The journey should take around 20 minutes.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.