Nada Fighting Festival

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Near: Kobe  (Event is Free)

Event Date(s): Oct. 13, 2025 • Oct. 14, 2025
Dates are subject to change without notice. Check with the official organizers before making travel arrangements.

The "Nada Fighting Festival" is held in Shirahama town, Himeji City at the Matsubara Hachiman Shrine.  There is no "man-to-man" fighting if that's what your thinking but there is a type of "Mikoshi Fighting" (Portable Shrine Fight).  The Mikoshi are jolted against one another while being carried on the shoulders of men usually wearing lioncloths. The rules are somewhat "vague". Basically when to groups of teams get close/next to each other the action begins. The Mikoshi are knocked, bashed and pushed against each other till the one that is hoisted above/on the other, wins.  This type of "Mikoshi Fighting Festival" is held in many places throughout Japan (and even outside of Japan now in other parts of the world) but the one here in Shirahama is the most famous.

Another highlight of the festival is the Yatai Neri when "Yatai", festival floats and are incredibly decorated, are brought out on the shoulders of loincloths men again.

Shirahamacho 396
Himeji, Hyogo 672-8023 Japan

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Website: Nada Fighting Festival Homepage