Mysterious mountain matsuri (Dec 2025)

Deep in the mountains of Okumikawa, Toei Town is known for its historic "Hanamatsuri" festivals with over 700 years of history. This model itinerary is a convenient way to see two of these incredible and atmospheric festivals (13, 14 Dec 2025).

About this itinerary

Hanamatsuri dates back to the times of roaming mountain monks sharing ceremonies with locals as they passed through the area. Over a weekend, 13 and 14 Dec 2025, see two notable versions of this festival, one considered the origin of Hanamatsuri, and the other the most "recent" of the Hanamatsuri. Immerse yourself in deep mountain culture and ancient mountain spirituality on this active itinerary.

This model itinerary is not a package tour, but we can offer it as a package tour if you like. Using the link below you can request this itinerary as-is, or you can add the individual parts to your cart, checking out when you've gathered everything you like from what we have in Okumikawa.

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Day 1

Arrive and relax around the river and accommodation. Take it easy before the two days of festivals. Enjoy the onsen (hot springs) with the sound of the river flowing by. Accommodation is also available in Toei Town, closer to the festivals.

Arrive in Okumikawa at Yuyaonsen Station (Aichi Prefecture)

Find us between Tokyo and Nagoya, just off the Tokaido Shinkansen. Transfer at Toyohashi Station for the JR Iida Line. From Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka roughly 2-4 hours by train.

More about Okumikawa

Explore Yuyaonsen

The Yuyaonsen area has some beautiful natural sights along the Ure River. A stroll along the river is a great way to relax after chaos in the large cities of Japan.

Accommodation at Yuyaonsen (and enjoy the hot springs)

Yuyaonsen has a range of accommodation from luxury to basic, traditional to modern, even though it is a very quiet village.

Many ryokan inns include dinner and breakfast.

Take a look at our accommodation page to see some of what's on offer.

See accommodation

Day 2 - Hakusan Matsuri

The focus of today is the Hakusan Matsuri, a festival/ceremony for a number of gods enshrined at the top of a remote mountain in Toei Town. As an origin of the Hanamatsuri, it has an even deeper history, going back well over 700 years. Together with locals we'll make the hike, see the ceremony, and feel like we've gone back in time.

Visit the Hakusan Matsuri on a guided tour

After breakfast at your accommodation, we'll meet you to start the day's tour. Together we'll travel deep into the mountains, before hiking through rugged forest for roughly 1 hour to reach the shrine where the matsuri takes place.

As we climb, and if we have any time spare before the start, we'll help you to understand what you're going to see, and how it represents a truly Japanese mixture of Buddhism and ancient Shinto.

During the festival we'll explain what's happening (as much as we can, even the locals performing the ceremony don't know the meaning of some parts, such is esoteric Buddhism!).

While enjoying the deep and surreal atmosphere, you can also enjoy a light lunch served to guests.

After the ceremony (and a chance to take some souvenirs), we'll hike back down the mountain.

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Accommodation in Toei Town

At the charming accommodation available in Toei Town, feel the real Japan that you can only get in the countryside.

Some accommodation comes with meals, so you can try the flavours of Central Japan.

See accommodation

Day 3 - Nakanzaki Hanamatsuri

Today is all about the the most "recent" Hanamatsuri, only 150 years old, but still based on the 400+ year old running order of another of Toei's villages. This Hanamatsuri is a real community effort, and it's perfect for seeing more of the performances in less time (1 day instead of 2 straight days of performances).

Visit Nakanzaki Hanamatsuri on a guided tour

To reach the festival, there's an option to use e-bikes to travel from the town centre to the Hamamatsuri hall, and there's also an option to see the entire festival (8am to 11pm), or just part (the afternoon is recommended). On a guided tour, we'll be with you for up to 8 hours, helping you to understand what you're seeing and the flow of the Hanamatsuri.

Meals are generally available at Hanamatsuri, so if you would like to see it from start to finish, it's possible.

After seeing the Hakusan Matsuri before the Nakanzaki Hanamatsuri, you'll be able to feel how the traditions passed through the valleys and villages over hundreds of years. With our help you'll discover the meanings behind the festival, and even things that will help you to understand shrines and temples in the rest of Japan.

A guided tour of this Hanamatsuri is not available on its own, but if you are not available for the Hakusan Matsuri we can try to find a time and situation that could work.

Accommodation in the area, or Yuyaonsen

Depending on how much of the festival you want to see, stay another night in Toei Town or Yuyaonsen.

If you want to see the entire Nakanzaki Hanamatsuri, try staying in a basic and historic accommodation just up the valley from the Hanamatsuri Hall, like something straight out of the Edo period.

Day 4

On the final day, after enjoying breakfast, check out and continue your journey. We recommend exploring more of Okumikawa, but if you really have to go, take the quaint JR Iida Line from Toei towards Toyohashi City for the Shinkansen.

Requesting this itinerary

You can use the contact form on this page, or add the free tour request product below to your cart, then check out. We'll get back to you to discuss bookings, prices, and other details!