Himeji Yukata Festival 姫路 浴衣まつり

Each year in late June, thousands of people gather around Osakabe Shrine in the center of Himeji City for the annual Himeji Yukata Festival, in celebration of this colorful, traditional cotton garment. Join in for a one-of-a-kind experience and pay your own tribute to traditional Japanese fashion.

From Himeji Station, walk north along the wide Otemae-dori Street.

The festival takes place in the center of Himeji City, between Himeji Station and Himeji Castle .

Yukata are light garments made from cotton, usually worn during the hot Japanese summer months. Though there are several yukata festivals in Japan, the Himeji Yukata Festival is the oldest.

The festival began when Sakakibara Masamine, who was Lord of Himeji Castle from 1732 to 1741, decided to move Osakabe Shrine closer to the town center. A street festival was hastily organized to mark the shrine opening.

Despite an existing taboo of wearing yukata in public, the event's short notice meant there was not enough time for many of the townspeople to buy a more formal kimono, and so the lord permitted them to don a yukata. The rest, as they say, is history.

Every year a large number of visitors come dressed in yukata. If you don't have your own and would like to join in the fun, several shops in the area rent out yukata during the festival period.

Those in yukata can get discounts at some stores around the venue, and also free entry to facilities around Himeji Castle.