It is one of Japan’s three great float festivals, boasting a history of over 400 years.
Built by generations of craftsmen, the ornate hikiyama floats are masterpieces known as “moving art museums,” and their tapestries have been designated important cultural properties.
The “Children’s Kabuki,” that has continued since the Edo period, is not to be missed, as boy actors from five to 12 years old dress in ornate costumes and give passionate performances on the floats that harken back to a different era.
In the fall of 2016, Nagahama Hikiyama Festival, along with 33 other Japanese yama, hoko, and yatai float festivals, will be registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Event Dates	Mid-April every year (tentative)
Location (venue)	Nagahama Hachiman-gū Shrine, Nagahama City
Address	13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama-shi, Shiga

Region	Kinki
Category	Shrines and temples, Traditional performing arts

Event organizers may change the date and time. Please check the official website.

update: Aug.20.2018