There are various kinds of festivals such as traditional performances succeeded for a long time and modern festivals for all residents in Nagano City.
Nagano City Events Schedule
Zenkoji Obinzuru mawashi (Festival of St.Binzuru)
January 6th
This festival is held at Hondo, the main hall in Zenkoji temple in the evening. Visitors tap the worn figure of Binzuru with a ladle they received in the festival and hope their own aches and pains will be alleviated.
Nagano Setsubun ceremony (Service to expel Demons)
February 3rd
A bean-throwing ceremony is held by all the priests of Zenkoji temple. Also participating will be some famous people who were born in a year with the same sign of Eto.
Iizuna Kogen Winter Festival
The fourth Saturday and Sunday of February
Various events and free ski school, half-price lift ticket,s and so forth.
Kirihara Warakoma (straw horse)
March 8th
Kirihara used to be a famous and historical pasture area which was owned by the Imperial Court. Many fine horses were offered to the Imperial Court. People offer the Warakoma which is the shape of fine horse with some steamed red beans rice and money. This is offered to the Kiriharamaki Shrine in the festival.
Dinosaur festival
May 5th
Some events are held such as a kid’s sumo wrestling tournament and a roaring contest.
Hana Matsuri (Buddha’s birthday festival)
May 5th
People celebrate Buddha’s birthday with some events. Children wearing their Sunday best visit the temple to pray for their long life and future happiness (It is called Chigogyoretsu.).
Nagano city residents’ health festival
The third Sunday of May
Various sports events such as athletics for the residents.
Nagano Tanabata festival (Star festival)
From late in July to early in August
The arcade will be very crowded with people enjoying the colorful bamboo branches hung with colorful decorations. Many events, including the Tanabata decoration contest and Miss Tanabata contest.
Nagano Binzuru (Nagano city residents festival)
The first Saturday of August
The Sound of people shouting “Sore” and tapping rice scoops echoes in the summer night sky. This is one of the biggest summer festivals with traditional Japanese music.
Nikoniko fireworks celebration
West side park of Nagano prefectural hall
Iizuna fire festival
August 10th
It is the entering ceremony called Yamairi of Mt.Iizuna which is the holy mountain for disciples. Fireworks, synthesizer,s and laser rays under the mysterious stage effects cover Daizahoshi pond. People can enjoy the sounds and lights of the fantasy show.
Iizuna jazz concert
In the middle of August
A large number of people gather and enjoy the music festival at Iizuna Kogen in the summer. Some top musicians play for the people every summer.
Nagano Aspen music festival
From the middle to late in August
This festival was originally the well-known music festival of Aspen, Colorado State, U.S.A. The world’s top musicians give some lessons to top Japanese amateur musicians according to the instrument’s type. An orchestra performs a classical concert.
Sanada festival
The fourth weekend of September
Various events such as Sanada Jyumangoku procession, marching band, photograph contest and picture exhibition are held.
Shinshu home town boast festival
The weekend around October 10th
People from cities and towns in Nagano prefecture exhibit their special products and sell them. The center stage has the shows of the folk entertainments and others.
Ebisuko(Festival in honor of Ebisu) and fireworks festival
November 23 rd
Nagano city was originally built in front of Zenkoji temple. A large market sale is conducted in this arcade, in addition to a big fireworks festival around Tanbajima bridge. Many people enjoy these festivities.
Nagano Flower Calendar
A large number of tourists from the inside and the outside of Nagano prefecture visit Nagano city to enjoy watching many kinds of flowers and trees.
