One event that is essential to summer is a summer festival.
Summer festivals are held in districts throughout Kurashiki City from around July. Among them, the “Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival,” held on a grand scale in front of JR Kurashiki Station, is said to be the biggest festival in Kurashiki.
The writer moved to Kurashiki from Kanagawa in 2023 and had never been to the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival before. In their second year after moving, they finally went for the first time.
Here is a look at the 52nd Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival.
The information presented was current when this article was published in July 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About the 52nd Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival
The 52nd Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival was held on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
The festival’s main attractions are the “Daikan Bayashi Dance” and “OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance,” featuring distinctive teams of local residents. A total of 33 teams performed in colorful costumes along the long stretch of Kurashiki Chuodori.
In addition to the dancing, the festival offers plenty to enjoy with all five senses, including the “nostalgic night market,” lined with tempting food stalls, and stage performances by the “Kurashiki Tenryo Taiko.”
As one of Kurashiki’s signature summer festivals, the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival draws many visitors from both within and outside the city.
The festival was bustling with people of all ages, from middle and high school students hanging out with friends to families enjoying the festivities across three generations.
The day’s events
The writer arrived in front of JR Kurashiki Station at around 2 p.m.
Traffic restrictions had not yet begun on Kurashiki Chuodori, the main venue, so the writer took a little time to explore the surrounding area before the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival got underway in earnest.
Exploring the area around the station and the Bikan Historical Area before the festival starts
The first stop was Bios Ikoi Plaza, located partway along Kurashiki Center Street. There was a Japan Self-Defense Forces booth here.
Visitors could try riding a light armored vehicle actually used in the field. Photography was not allowed inside, so the writer could not take any pictures, but the vehicle felt very stable. It is not something one usually gets a chance to ride, so they felt lucky to have tried it.
Photographs of the response to the July 2018 heavy rain disaster were also on display. The writer felt a surge of gratitude for the Self-Defense Forces personnel who risked their lives to rescue people.
Answering a short questionnaire earned visitors a special Self-Defense Forces giveaway. The writer received a mechanical pencil made in collaboration with Kuru Toga. Its cool design quickly made it a favorite.
Next, the writer headed to LOGIN Kurashiki, a multipurpose tourist facility in the Bikan Historical Area. They were holding a superball scooping game exclusive to the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival, so the writer decided to give it a try.
The writer had hardly ever tried superball scooping before. Perhaps they scooped too vigorously, because the paper scoop tore almost immediately, and they managed to get only three balls.
Looking over at the friend beside them, the writer saw that they had scooped enough to fill their bowl and felt a little envious. Perhaps this kind of friendly frustration is part of what makes summer festivals special.
Enjoying the sound of water spilling from the fountain made the writer feel a little cooler, too.
A bite to eat before watching the dancing
Traffic restrictions had finally begun on Kurashiki Chuodori, and the crowds were growing as the area became livelier.
When the writer visited the “nostalgic night market” area, lined with food stalls, delicious aromas wafted from every direction.
First, feeling thirsty, the writer bought a can of beer and raised a toast. Deciding what to eat while enjoying a drink is one of the pleasures unique to summer festivals.
Many local restaurants also had stalls along Kurashiki Chuodori. Being able to enjoy dishes usually served in their restaurants outdoors made them seem even more delicious.
The writer chose chicken neck meat with ponzu from HOPMAN, a craft beer shop. Topped with colorful summer vegetables, it looked beautiful, too. It was so delicious that the writer could hardly believe it was food from an outdoor stall, and they were thoroughly satisfied.
A Suinkyo procession was also taking place at the venue.
Suinkyo are a festival tradition in Kurashiki dating back to the Edo period. They wear masks of “Jiji” and “Baba” and carry red uchiwa fans.
According to local lore, “being tapped on the head by a Suinkyo brings good fortune,” and passersby were being enthusiastically whacked with uchiwa fans. They look a little scary, but they are actually bringers of good fortune.
The writer also found a booth for “Hiroeba Machi ga Suki ni Naru Undo,” run by Japan Tobacco Inc.
This is a cleanup activity held by JT at festivals and events throughout Japan. It embodies the desire to “foster a feeling of not littering through the experience of picking up litter.”
It has been held continuously at the Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival since 2008.
Watching the “OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance”
When the “OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance” began, I stopped to watch.
Perhaps many people had friends or family members taking part; some pointed their cameras at them, while others called out words of encouragement, such as “Do your best, [name]!”
The teams of children were adorable as they danced their hearts out in matching outfits. Some were shy and others carefree, but they all danced with enthusiasm, making me want to cheer them on.
Some teams danced alongside mascot characters. The white-walled building mascot, which really caught the eye, was also doing its best in the heat.
Every team had its own distinctive costumes, and it was fun just comparing them.
The “Gonai Children's Home” team all wore Detective Conan cosplay outfits. Their attention to detail was evident in the fact that everyone wore glasses and shorts.
The choreography for the “OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance” was easy to learn, and as I watched, my hands began to sway along naturally.
As the heat and music enveloped us and the sun began to set,
I happened to look up and saw a worker checking the lights illuminating the venue. Watching them quietly go about their work, unnoticed by anyone, gave me a small glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of a fun festival.
Being able to enjoy a festival safely and with peace of mind is only possible thanks to the people supporting it behind the scenes. Thinking that I’d seen something wonderful at the end, I left the venue.
From the Writer
My first-ever Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival was a fulfilling experience.
Events were also held that day in the shopping arcade in front of JR Kurashiki Station and in the Bikan Historical Area, so I think there was plenty to enjoy from daytime until night.
The highlight, the “OH! Daikan Bayashi Dance,” was full of energy when performed by the adult teams, while the children's teams were bursting with enthusiasm. It was fun to see each team's unique character.
It was such an enjoyable summer festival that I’d like to go again next year. I’ll take proper precautions against heatstroke and hope to join in again.
52nd Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival Information
| Name | 52nd Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | July 26, 2025 (Saturday) 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
| Location | In front of JR Kurashiki Station |
| Admission (tax included) | Free (food and drink costs are extra) |
| Website | Official Kurashiki Tenryo Summer Festival website |
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