Hiroshima Events & Festivals October 2026: Miyajima Fireworks, Sake Matsuri, Autumn Foliage & Must-See Attractions
Hiroshima, which I consider one of Japan's most historically significant and emotionally profound cities, is a destination I deeply cherish where you can experience both solemn remembrance and vibrant cultural traditions in a uniquely meaningful way. As someone who values understanding Japan's complex history and rich heritage, I find Hiroshima to be an essential destination that offers both educational depth and spiritual reflection.
However, due to Hiroshima's layered historical significance, cultural sites like Miyajima Island, and the delicate balance between honoring the past and celebrating present-day culture, navigating this city meaningfully can be challenging without proper context.
In fact, a Australian friend of mine visited Hiroshima but later shared, "I felt overwhelmed by the historical weight and didn't know how to properly appreciate both the memorial sites and the cultural attractions. I wished I had better guidance to understand the deeper significance."
That's why I recommend taking a tour where knowledgeable locals who are well-versed in tourist attractions, culture, and historical spots can guide you through Hiroshima. Among these, Magical Trip has been selected for TripAdvisor's Best of the Best for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025, and their tour quality is top-notch.
If you want to deeply explore Hiroshima's peace sites, join the Hiroshima Peace (Heiwa) Walking Tour at World Heritage Sites, and if you want to enjoy historical spots and amazing food crawling in Miyajima, participate in the Miyajima Half-day Trip Historical Walking Tour.
Also, I recommend the Hiroshima Bar Hopping Food Tour that I participated in, as you can enjoy Hiroshima's local food and excellent sake.
Hiroshima sightseeing becomes two or three times more enjoyable with local guidance. If you want to deeply enjoy Hiroshima, definitely try joining a local tour!
Introduction
Hiroshima is a captivating city where tradition, modern culture, and nature beautifully merge together. At the UNESCO World Heritage Site Itsukushima Shrine, visitors can enjoy Japan's historical architecture and vast natural landscapes, while stepping into the urban areas offers glimpses of vibrant shopping districts bustling with life.
Particularly in October, Hiroshima experiences pleasant weather as the summer heat subsides, making it an ideal time for outdoor exploration. As more people begin strolling outdoors, various events are also held throughout the month.
This time, I will introduce my carefully selected recommendations from the events held in Hiroshima during October 2026, featuring the most spectacular Hiroshima Event October 2026 celebrations that tourists shouldn't miss.
If You Visit Hiroshima in October, Don't Miss the "Itsukushima Floating Fireworks Display"!
Among the Hiroshima Event October 2026 lineup, what I particularly recommend is the "Itsukushima Shrine Floating Lantern Fireworks Display" that illuminates the autumn night sky. The Itsukushima Shrine Floating Lantern Fireworks Display is a festival with over 50 years of history, attracting many fans not only from local areas but also from across Japan and internationally.
The main highlight of this event is the spectacular sight of the Great Torii beautifully illuminated in various colors from behind, and the magical reflection of fireworks light dancing on the water surface. The collaboration between Japan's traditional architecture and fireworks creates a distinctly Japanese autumn landscape.
Furthermore, the performances unfolding near the water surface offer a unique charm that can only be experienced at a fireworks festival staged on an island. Please capture plenty of Instagram-worthy photos as memorable souvenirs of your Japan trip.
Information:
- Date: TBD (Held on October 18, 2025)
- Access: Take JR to "Miyajimaguchi," then board a ferry and disembark at "Miyajima Pier" (approximately 15-minute walk)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://dive-hiroshima.com/feature/feature-97522/
You Can Also Enjoy Fireworks at "Autumn Festa Etajima"
If you'd like to enjoy autumn fireworks beyond Miyajima, Etajima is a great option. "Autumn Festa Etajima" is an annual fall event held on the grounds of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force base.
It's a rare opportunity to step inside a Self-Defense Force facility that is normally off-limits to the public. Visitors can enjoy live stage performances, local food stalls, and even watch Self-Defense Force commemorative ceremonies and review parades up close.
The highlight of the event is a fireworks display of approximately 1,200 shells launched from the waters of Etajima Bay after sunset.
The finale features one of Hiroshima Prefecture's largest "2-shaku-dama" (large-caliber shells), which light up the night sky, and the sight of the fireworks reflected on the calm surface of the Seto Inland Sea is truly breathtaking.
Having visited myself, I can say that compared to fireworks events in the city, the launch point is remarkably close, and the sheer power of the sound and light that resonates through your entire body is an experience you simply cannot find anywhere else.
- Schedule: TBD (Held on October 25, 2025)
- Access: From JR Kure Line "Kure Station," walk 10 minutes to "Kure Port Central Pier," take the Setouchi Sea Line to "Etajima Koyō Port," then transfer to a bus and get off at "JMSDF 1st Service School"
- Admission: Free
- Website: N/A
3 Must-See Traditional Hiroshima Event October 2026 Celebrations
Yoshiura Crab Festival
At Yoshiura Hachiman Shrine in Kure City, Hiroshima, the traditional autumn event "Yoshiura Crab Festival" is held annually on the first Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of October. This remarkable Hiroshima Event October 2026 celebration derives its name from the fact that this is the season when the most blue swimmer crabs can be harvested locally throughout the year.
During the Yoshiura Crab Festival, traditional Japanese Shinto rituals are performed, including mikoshi processions and lion dances. The biggest attraction is the appearance of a giant Danjiri (a float used in Japanese festivals) carrying four children.
The performance where participants carry the 1-ton Danjiri and climb the stone steps within the shrine grounds with spirited chants is filled with incredible energy and excitement.
Also, pay attention to the unique dolls appearing in the festival and the colorful costumes worn by participants.
When I visited this event, I was impressed by how the local residents came together as one. Take this opportunity to experience the traditions that have been passed down in Japan's rural areas for centuries.
Information:
- Date: October 3-5, 2026
- Access: Take JR Kure Line to "Yoshiura" station (approximately 10-minute walk)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.city.kure.lg.jp/soshiki/67/m000089.html
Kameyama Shrine Grand Festival
Source:Official website
Among the traditional events held during autumn in Hiroshima, "The annual festival at Kameyama Shrine" is famous as a significant Hiroshima Event October 2026 celebration. This event has been held annually at Kameyama Shrine in Kure City for over 130 years to express gratitude for nature's blessings and pray for safety.
Through The annual festival at Kameyama Shrine, which has a long history, you can feel the Japanese people's deep connection to festivals. Particularly, when you spot the "Yabu" wearing demon masks, pay attention to their movements.
Yabu serves as guards and guides for the deity. While they may appear to be disrupting the festival's progress, they are actually supporting the deity's safe procession through the town.
From such performances, you can understand how important deities are to Japanese people.
During Hiroshima tourism, I also recommend spending time experiencing regional culture, which offers a different flavor from simply touring tourist attractions.
Information:
- Date: October 10-11, 2026
- Access: Take JR Line to "Kure" station (approximately 15-minute walk)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.kameyama-jinja.com/gyoujimaturi.html
Otake Festival
Every October, the small city of Otake, located at the western edge of Hiroshima Prefecture, comes alive in its most vibrant celebration of the year.
The Otake Festival is a large-scale traditional procession in which approximately 1,000 local residents march roughly 3 kilometers from in front of Otake Station to Otaki Shrine.
The highlight is the "yakko gyoretsu," a recreation of the feudal lord processions from the Edo period (1603–1868).
Around 50 participants dressed in traditional costumes toss long, ornately decorated spears adorned with feathers back and forth among one another, accompanied by distinctive calls, creating a scene that feels as though you've stepped straight into a period drama.
Having attended the event myself, I can say that the grand finale of simultaneous taiko drumming is absolutely spectacular — the precision and unity of the performance moved me deeply.
- Schedule: October 18, 2026
- Admission: Free
- Website: N/A
Tsuji Hachimangu Shrine Shinden-iri Ceremony
Source:Miyoshi City
If you visit Hiroshima in autumn, I recommend extending your trip slightly from the city center to observe "Tsuji Hachiman Shrine no Kohzori" in Miyoshi City, another enchanting Hiroshima Event October 2026 experience.
Tsuji Hachiman Shrine no Kohzori is an event that has been treasured and continued since a great famine over 230 years ago, when prayers for a good harvest were fulfilled.
I truly want tourists visiting Hiroshima to witness the magical scenery of Tsuji Hachiman Shrine no Kohzori with their own eyes.
The main highlight of this event is the light from lanterns held up by local residents. Participants walk through the town carrying red and green lanterns suspended from poles, heading to the shrine for dedication, using the 9 PM fireworks as their signal.
The scene of dim lights illuminating the streets creates a nostalgic atmosphere completely different from city illuminations.
Please take this opportunity to experience the atmosphere of Japan's local festivals firsthand.
Information:
- Date: To be determined
- Access: Take JR Line to "Kissa" station (approximately 10 minutes by taxi)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.city.miyoshi.hiroshima.jp/soshiki/49/3516.html
Ryukiko Festival
This event takes place around the lake at Nukui Dam, nestled deep in the mountains of Akiota Town, approximately 90 minutes by car from central Hiroshima.
The emerald-green surface of the lake created by the dam, set against the surrounding mountains painted in autumn foliage, looks just like a painting.
The biggest draw of the Ryukiko Festival is the chance to witness up close the dramatic water release from the 156-meter-tall dam — the second tallest in Japan.
Having visited myself, I can say that the normally off-limits catwalk is specially opened to the public during the event, allowing visitors to stand mere meters away from the thunderous rush of water — a truly thrilling experience.
On stage, visitors can also enjoy kagura, a traditional performing art passed down through Hiroshima's mountainous regions. Kagura is a masked dance-drama unique to this area, in which performers dressed in elaborate costumes and masks enact stories from mythology to the live sounds of taiko drums and flutes.
Food stalls offering local specialties and regional cuisine are also set up throughout the venue, so there's plenty to enjoy on the food front as well.
- Schedule: TBD (Held on October 19, 2025)
- Access: 60 minutes from Hiroshima IC / 15 minutes from Kake Smart IC / 20 minutes from Togōchi IC
- Admission: 100 yen (Free for high school students and younger)
For Those Interested in History and Traditions, We Recommend Historical Tours with Local Guides!
For visitors to the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine, we highly recommend using the "Miyajima Half-day Trip Historical Walking Tour."
Of course, you can explore the island without a guide, but I have personal experience of traveling abroad relying only on guidebooks and ultimately gaining only superficial information, which I later regretted. Particularly at historical tourist sites, the enjoyment is greatly diminished without proper explanations.
This tour features English-fluent guides who provide detailed explanations of information that only locals know. Additionally, since it's a private tour, you can freely ask questions about anything you're curious about or don't understand, which is an attractive point for deepening your understanding.
Meeting Point: Seven-Eleven in front of JR Miyajima-guchi Station
Tour Area: Miyajima
Start Time: 9:30 AM
5 Events Where You Can Enjoy Japan's Beautiful Nature
Moon Viewing Tea Ceremony at Shukkei-en
For those who want to experience Japan's beautiful nature and traditional culture simultaneously, we recommend the "Moon Viewing Tea Ceremony at Shukkei-en."
This tea ceremony, held annually in October, is a Hiroshima Event October 2026 highlight where you can appreciate the autumn moon while drinking Japanese tea in a fantastically illuminated garden.
The venue, Shukkei-en, is a historical Japanese garden with over 400 years of landscaping history and is one of the tourist spots you should definitely visit when coming to Hiroshima.
This garden becomes even more serene at night. The time spent sharpening your senses to Japanese elegance in the comfortable climate of autumn nights is a special experience that can only be tasted on-site.
Moreover, at this tea ceremony, foreign tourists can watch skilled tea ceremony masters prepare matcha up close, which is another attractive point.
- Date: TBD (Held on October 6 in 2025)
- Access:
Streetcar: Take JR line from "Hiroshima" South Exit Platform A, boards 1, 2, or 6, transfer at "Hatchobori" to Hakushima line and get off at "Shukkei-en-mae"
Bus: Take JR line "Hiroshima" Shinkansen Exit (Orange Route/Lemon Route) and get off at "Kenritsu Bijutsukan-mae (Shukkei-en-mae)"
- Admission Fee: Main seat 1,300 yen (outdoor tea seat 800 yen) + entrance fee: - Adults 350 yen, University students 150 yen
- Website: https://shukkeien.jp/
Hiroshima Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition
When it comes to Japan's autumn seasonal traditions, "chrysanthemums" are famous. If you're visiting Hiroshima in October, why not stop by the "Hiroshima Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition"?
The Hiroshima Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition is a Hiroshima Event October 2026 that takes place annually from late October to early November within the grounds of Hiroshima Castle.
Various varieties of chrysanthemums are displayed at the venue, captivating visitors. If you capture the booths decorated in yellow and pink in your frame, you can take a picture that looks like a painting.
Chrysanthemums, which symbolize nobility, are also depicted on the cover of Japanese passports and are special flowers for Japanese people.
Please enjoy this uniquely Japanese natural scenery that can only be seen during autumn.
- Date: TBD (Held on October 25 in 2025)
- Access:
Streetcar: Get off at "Kamiya-cho Higashi" or "Kamiya-cho Nishi" (about 15 minutes walk)
Astram Line: Get off at "Kencho-mae" (about 12 minutes walk)
Bus: Get off at "Godo Chosha-mae Bus Stop" (about 8 minutes walk) or "Hiroshima Bus Center" (about 12 minutes walk)
- Admission Fee: Free
- Website: https://dive-hiroshima.com/events/events-76720/
Fall Foliage Viewing
October in Hiroshima is exactly the best season for "viewing of autumn leaves."
Japan has the word "viewing of autumn leaves" (momiji-gari), showing how deeply rooted the culture of appreciating autumn-colored trees is.
Actually, Hiroshima has many attractive autumn foliage spots, and every year I find myself troubled by where to go for autumn leaf viewing.
Among them, the three autumn foliage spots I'd like to recommend to foreign tourists are Itsukushima Shrine, Shukkei-en, and Buttsu-ji Temple.
At Itsukushima Shrine, the highlight is the autumn leaves turning bright red behind the Great Torii.
Meanwhile, at Shukkei-en, the elegant Japanese garden dyed in red and yellow captivates people.
Also, the sight of Buttsu-ji Temple's approach becoming a tunnel of autumn leaves is spectacular.
Please definitely stop by during your sightseeing.
Itsukushima Shrine
- Date: Peak autumn colors are expected around mid to late November 2026
- Access: Take JR line to "Miyajima-guchi," then board ferry and get off at "Miyajima Pier"
- Admission Fee: Free
- Website: http://www.miyajima.or.jp/
Shukkei-en
- Date: Peak autumn colors are expected from early to late November 2026
- Access: About 15 minutes walk from Hiroshima Station, or take streetcar and get off at "Shukkei-en-mae"
- Admission Fee: Adults 350 yen, University students 150 yen, High school students and under, and 65 years and over are free
- Website: https://shukkeien.jp/
Buttsu-ji Temple
- Date: Peak autumn colors are expected from early to late November 2026
- Access: Take JR Sanyo Main Line to "Hongo," then take bus and get off at "Buttsu-ji"
- Admission Fee: Free
- Website: https://buttsuji.or.jp/
Dahlia and Garden Mum Festival
Sera Kogen Farm, spread across Sera Kogen at an elevation of 500 meters, transforms into a carpet of flowers every autumn.
At the Dahlia and Garden Mum Festival, over 550 varieties and 7,500 plants of dahlias — the largest scale in western Japan — bloom in full glory, showcasing an astonishing range of forms, from flowers larger than the palm of your hand to delicate small-petaled varieties.
The other star of the show is the garden mum. A type of chrysanthemum with a charming round shape, these flowers paint the hillside in a patchwork of vivid pink, yellow, orange, and purple, creating a scene that feels like another world entirely.
The garden mum fields, viewed from an elevated vantage point, are also incredibly popular as a photogenic spot. There are also plenty of hands-on activities to enjoy — you can pick your favorite dahlia for ¥200 per stem, then wrap it yourself into a bouquet to take home.
- Date: September 12 – November 3, 2026
- Access: Approximately 40 minutes by car from the "Kochi IC" exit on the Sanyo Expressway
- Admission: Adults ¥600–¥1,200 / Children (ages 4 to elementary school) ¥300–¥600 / Ages 3 and under & pets: Free
- Website: https://sera.ne.jp/sk/dahlia/
Kochia and Cosmos Hill
Just a short distance from Sera Kogen Farm, Flower Village Kamu-no-Sato also offers a spectacular autumn-only landscape.
The star here is kochia. These fluffy, round-shaped shrubs begin turning from vibrant green to a brilliant red as October arrives, blanketing the entire hillside in a blazing crimson.
Behind them, pink and white cosmos sway gently in the breeze, and the contrast between the deep red kochia and the graceful cosmos is truly a breathtaking sight.
On select Sundays in October, the park stays open until 6:00 PM, allowing visitors to enjoy the kochia glowing in an even deeper red and gold as the setting sun washes over them.
I visited myself, and the beauty was so overwhelming that I couldn't stop taking photos.
Since the two locations are close to each other, we highly recommend planning a full-day course that covers both Sera Kogen Farm and Flower Village Kamu-no-Sato in a single trip.
- Date: August 22 – October 18, 2026
- Access: Approximately 25 minutes by car from the Miyoshi IC on the Chugoku Expressway
- Admission: Adults ¥500–¥1,000 / Children (ages 4 to elementary school) ¥200–¥500 / Ages 3 and under & pets: Free
- Website: https://sera.ne.jp/km/kochia/
3 Must-See Festivals to Enjoy Hiroshima's Gourmet Cuisine
Hiroshima Food Festival
If you want to fully savor Hiroshima's autumn flavors, the "Hiroshima Food Festival" is an unmissable Hiroshima Event October 2026. This large-scale culinary celebration, held annually in late October around Hiroshima Castle, brings together proud gourmet offerings from every region of Hiroshima.
The reason I recommend this event to foreign tourists is the incredible variety of gourmet options available. The venue features countless booths offering not only Hiroshima's famous okonomiyaki and oyster dishes, but also cuisine made with fresh local vegetables, sweets, local sake, and much more.
For foreign tourists who come to Japan to enjoy Japanese cuisine, the Hiroshima Food Festival provides an excellent opportunity to experience various flavors all at once. Hiroshima gourmet food tastes exceptional when enjoyed under the pleasant blue autumn sky.
- Schedule: TBD (Held on October 25 & 26 in 2025)
- Access: Get off at JR "Hiroshima" station (about 15-minute walk), or streetcar "Kamiyacho-higashi" (about 10-minute walk)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://foodfesta.jp/
Sake Festival
A big event held in October in Saijo, Higashihiroshima City, is the "Sake Festival." At this event where Japanese sake from all over the country gathers, you can fully experience the depth of Japanese sake by finding your favorite flavors and trying rare brands.
The reason I recommend this event to foreign tourists is that while the Sake Festival is a Japanese sake celebration, it contains many elements of traditional Japanese festivals that involve the entire local community.
At the venue, you can enjoy traditional Japanese festival scenes, such as children in happi coats walking through the streets while beating drums, and female performers carrying mikoshi in procession.
When you find the "big cedar ball," which is the symbol of the Sake Festival, be sure to take a photo.
- Schedule: October 10 & 11, 2026
- Access: Right at JR "Saijo" station
- Admission: Free (some areas are paid)
- Website: https://sakematsuri.com/
Miyoshi Wine Autumn Festival
For those who want to understand the differences between Japan and their home country, why not compare preferences through wine? At Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima, the "Miyoshi Wine Autumn Festival" is held in October.
At the venue, you can taste various wines produced at Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery, purchase products you like as souvenirs, and enjoy cuisine made with local ingredients.
Wine made to suit Japanese tastes and complement Japanese cuisine will undoubtedly have a different flavor from those in your home country.
Please take this opportunity to enjoy Hiroshima wine in the open location surrounded by beautiful vineyards while comparing cultures.
- Schedule: TBD (Held on October 11 & 12 in 2025)
- Access: Take JR Geibi Line to "Miyoshi," then take a bus and get off at "Shiritsu Miyoshi Chuo Byoin" (about 10-minute walk)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://love-wine.jp/wineevent/hiroshima/miyoshi-autumn-winefes/
Special Events to Enjoy in Hiroshima in October 2026
October 2026 brings a wonderful lineup of events to Hiroshima. Whether you caught a Hiroshima event in September 2026 or are just arriving, there is still plenty to look forward to this season. Here are some of the most recommended events happening throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Halloween Hiroshima
Hondori Shopping Street in the heart of Hiroshima City and the event plaza "Alice Garden" transform into a full Halloween celebration for one spectacular day.
Halloween Hiroshima is a community-driven Halloween event planned and managed primarily by local volunteers, welcoming active participation from residents and visitors alike.
The highlight of the day is the costume parade that marches from Motoyasu Bridge all the way to Alice Garden. From elaborate cosplay and handmade costumes to matching family outfits, the sight of uniquely costumed participants filling the shopping street is enough to get anyone excited just from watching.
In addition to a costume contest, there is a "Candy Stamp Rally" where participants visit partner shops to collect sweets, as well as dance performances and live music at Alice Garden.
You can have a great time even without a costume, but if you have the chance, joining in with some kind of outfit is highly recommended. It is a wonderful opportunity to casually experience Japan's Halloween culture firsthand.
<Information>
- Date: TBD (Held on October 26 in 2025)
- Access: 5-minute walk from the "Hatchobori" tram stop on the city tram line (Alice Garden)
- Admission: Children 500 yen, Adults (middle school age and above) 1,000 yen for parade participation
- Website: None
Onomichi Akari Matsuri (Lantern Festival)
Onomichi is one of Japan's most atmospheric port towns, where houses line the hillside facing the Seto Inland Sea and stone-paved temple paths lead up to a number of ancient shrines and temples.
The moment when Onomichi shows its most magical face of the entire year is during the Akari Matsuri. Approximately 30,000 Japanese paper lanterns called "bonbori" are lit throughout the city, adorning 16 temples within the city as well as shopping streets and the plaza in front of the station.
The bonbori are decorated by local elementary and middle school students with their dreams and wishes, and the warmth of that handmade quality is one of the most endearing charms of this festival.
The nearby Senkoji-yama Ropeway extends its operating hours until 9:15 PM on the day of the event, allowing visitors to look down from the mountaintop at the lantern-lit townscape and the Onomichi Channel below.
This is sure to be a night you will never forget.
<Information>
- Date: TBD (Held on October 18 in 2025)
- Access: Held at a total of 28 locations throughout central Onomichi, including temples and public facilities
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.onomichi-matsuri.jp/akari-matsuri/ (2025 version)
Takehara Shokei-no-Michi (Townscape Bamboo Lantern Walk)
Takehara is a small port town in Hiroshima Prefecture with ties to Kyoto dating back to the 800s, earning it the nickname "Little Kyoto of Aki."
Merchant houses and sake breweries built between the 1600s and 1800s remain standing to this day, creating an authentic old Japanese streetscape that has not been overly commercialized.
Takehara Shokei-no-Michi is an autumn night-only event set against the backdrop of this historic town. Approximately 5,000 bamboo-crafted candle holders are arranged along alleyways and in inner courtyards, wrapping centuries-old wooden architecture in a gentle, warm glow.
Live events and art installations using bamboo are also on display, so you can take your time and enjoy the atmosphere at a leisurely pace.
<Information>
- Date: TBD (Held on October 25 and 26 in 2025)
- Access: Approximately 15-minute walk from "Takehara Station" on the JR Kure Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: None
To Fully Enjoy Hiroshima's Exquisite Food, Have Locals Guide You to Their Favorite Restaurants!
After enjoying sightseeing during the day, please also experience nighttime Hiroshima. I recommend the "Hiroshima Bar Hopping Food Tour" to foreign tourists.
This tour includes a guide who will accompany you to hidden famous restaurants that locals regularly visit.
While experiencing local people's daily life is one of the highlights of overseas travel, foreign tourists who don't understand the language may find it difficult to enter local establishments alone.
Even in such situations, with an experienced local guide, you can relax to your heart's content without worrying about language barriers or manners.
- Meeting point: In front of Gucci at Hatchobori Station
- Tour area: Central Hiroshima City
- Start time: 7:00 PM
