Carp Streamer Festival (held April 11–May 6, 2026)〜 Impressive carp streamers at Noumaru Engei Kibiji Farm

This year (2026), too, the season when spring arrives at “Noumaru Engei Kibiji Farm” in Soja City has come around.

The “14th Koinobori Festival” is being held from Saturday, April 11 to Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (substitute holiday).

I visited the site and will report on what it was like.

Report on the “14th Koinobori Festival”

The Koinobori Festival, which began in 2013, has become a beloved local spring tradition, and this year (2026) marks its 14th edition.

I visited on Friday, April 17. In the gentle, springlike air, I headed to the site with anticipation.

As I drove along Prefectural Route 272, I could see colorful koinobori fluttering in the distance. The moment I saw them, I was so excited that I couldn't help exclaiming, “Wow!”

As I got closer to the parking lot, the spectacle became even more impressive.

More than 70 koinobori were swimming through the sky, making it look as though the sky itself had become a colorful canvas.

There was a pleasant breeze on the day I visited, and the koinobori swam through the sky facing the same direction. Watching them sway gently in the breeze put my mind at ease.

The view from the parking lot is truly breathtaking. The koinobori dancing against the blue sky have a scale that photos simply cannot capture.

One of the pleasures is trying to capture the perfect shot that appears for just a moment when the wind is right. If you're lucky, you might get a lovely shot like this of your car with the koinobori.

Please note that the koinobori display is weather-dependent and may be suspended during the event period in rainy or strong-wind conditions.

There’s a reason for this…
In fact, the staff put up the koinobori every morning at 9 a.m. and take them down at 5 p.m.

This spectacular scene of koinobori is not left to nature; it is carefully maintained by people.

Enjoying spring at “Noumaru Engei Kibiji Farm”

Noumaru Engei Kibiji Farm is known as a tourist farm that attracts many visitors from both within and outside the prefecture.

The farm has plenty to enjoy, including a shop selling fresh agricultural produce and seasonal flowers, a bakery serving freshly baked bread, a cake workshop popular for its sweets, and a cafe and kitchen where you can relax. It’s a place where families can enjoy a full day out.

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The weather is pleasant at this time of year. Why not stroll around the farm with something delicious in hand, while watching the koinobori swim across the blue sky?

From the Writer

When I was a child, one of my springtime pleasures was looking out the train window, spotting koinobori, and counting them.

But I feel that scenes like that have become less common over time.

That’s why this event, where you can see koinobori swimming across the entire sky, felt so special.

I hope this scene will continue to live on in many people’s memories, spark conversations, and be passed down through the generations.

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