Niihama Taiko Festival begins in Ehime Prefecture

The Niihama Taiko Festival has commenced in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, featuring 52 Taikodai (festival floats). A highlight of the opening ceremonies was the “Ishidan Kakiage” at Utsunomiya Shrine, where participants carried three-ton floats up approximately 100 stone steps in the early morning hours.

The festival is scheduled to continue through October 18, with various competitions and events taking place across eight different districts. Future schedules for the 2026 festival indicate that events for the Kawanishi, Kawahigashi, and Kamibe districts are expected to run from October 16 to 18.