# Niihama Taiko Festival in Ehime Prefecture

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/niihama-taiko-festival-in-ehime-prefecture
> Updated: 2026-10-19T19:31:33.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 3.

The Niihama Taiko Festival in Ehime Prefecture commenced in mid-October 2026, featuring 52 Taikodai floats. A central event included the “Ishidan Kakiage” at Utsunomiya Shrine, where participants carried three-ton floats up approximately 100 stone steps.

As the festival progressed, celebrations included activities such as the Ichinomiya no Mori Museum event at Ichinomiya Shrine. This featured 11 Taikodai from the Kawanishi district performing “sashiage,” where massive floats are lifted high. The festival's cultural reach also extended to demonstrations in other regions, such as a showcase of the Kishinoshita Taikodai in Suita, Osaka, on September 5, 2026.

On October 16, 2026, a “Kakikurabe” event was held at Tenjinbama-dori. During this event, a four-lane road was closed to vehicle traffic to allow nine Taikodai from the Kawahigashi district to perform. These floats, weighing approximately 2.5 tons each, conducted intense demonstrations, with the Shiramah and Nitta Taikodai receiving significant applause for their “sashiage” displays.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Niihama Taiko Festival features Kakikurabe event

The Niihama Taiko Festival held its Kakikurabe event on October 16, 2026, featuring nine 2.5-ton Taikodai performing in Tenjinbama-dori.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/niihama-taiko-festival-features-kakikurabe-event

### 2026-10-17: Niihama Taiko Festival traditions showcased in Ehime and Osaka

Traditional Niihama Taiko Festival celebrations included a large-scale event at Ichinomiya Shrine in Ehime and a cultural demonstration of the Kishinoshita Taikodai in Osaka.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/niihama-taiko-festival-traditions-showcased-in-ehime-and-osaka

### 2026-10-14: Niihama Taiko Festival begins in Ehime Prefecture

The Niihama Taiko Festival has begun in Ehime Prefecture, featuring the dramatic “Ishidan Kakiage” where three-ton floats are carried up stone steps.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/niihama-taiko-festival-begins-in-ehime-prefecture

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Cite as: Niihama Taiko Festival in Ehime Prefecture. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/niihama-taiko-festival-in-ehime-prefecture