Every year on August 12th and 13th, Nakatsugawa transforms into the most vibrant and exciting place it becomes all year. This is “Oiden Matsuri,” Nakatsugawa’s beloved summer tradition. The festival takes place on the station street just a short walk from The RYOKAN O, allowing our guests to fully enjoy this authentic Japanese summer festival while hearing the taiko drums and cheers right from their rooms.
During the 2025 Oiden Matsuri, our inn organized a special event. We set up festival stall corners outside our inn featuring traditional games like shooting galleries and super ball scooping, and also sold our signature wagyu burgers that guests usually enjoy inside our inn. It was a huge success! This fusion of authentic Japanese festival stall culture with our inn’s hospitality created unforgettable summer memories for our guests.
At our inn, we believe in helping guests experience Japanese culture more deeply through such local festivals. Staying with us while enjoying an authentic Japanese summer festival—please come experience this special opportunity.
The Appeal of Oiden Matsuri
A Two-Day Summer Spectacular
Oiden Matsuri is the most important summer event for Nakatsugawa citizens. Day one begins spectacularly with a fireworks display along the clear Nakatsugawa River, where colorful fireworks paint the summer night sky. The sound of fireworks echoing through the night can be clearly heard from our inn, creating a special atmosphere that announces the beginning of the summer festival for our guests.
On the second day, the main festival transforms the station street into a pedestrian paradise filled with numerous performances. Starting with an opening parade featuring the Nakatsugawa Fire Department Marching Band, the festival includes a Kids Summer Festival where local children showcase various dance genres, traditional “Furyu Odori” dance recreated from historical drawings of the Naegi Toyama Domain, and mikoshi (portable shrine) processions—all celebrating traditional culture.
A Special Day When the Community Unites
On this once-a-year occasion, people from all over the city gather together, and the station street venue becomes filled with heat and energy. The sight of everyone from children to elderly people participating in yukata and happi coats truly embodies the essence of Japanese summer festivals.
It’s just a few minutes’ walk from our inn to the festival venue. Guests can experience this authentic, community-rooted Japanese summer festival right from their accommodation.
The RYOKAN O’s Special Event
Festival Stall Experience in Front of Our Inn
During the 2025 Oiden Matsuri, our inn participated in the local festival by setting up special festival stall corners outside our building. We offered guests the chance to experience traditional festival games essential to Japanese summer festivals, such as shooting galleries and super ball scooping
Popular Burger Sales
We also held a special sale of the burgers that guests usually enjoy inside our inn, which was hugely successful and sold out completely. Our signature burgers enjoyed in the special festival atmosphere seemed to offer a uniquely delicious experience different from usual.
The Charm of Japanese Festival Stall Culture
The Fun of Traditional Stall Games
Shooting galleries are a classic festival game that has been passed down in Japan since ancient times. Despite the simple rule of shooting cork balls to win prizes, it’s surprisingly difficult and captivates both adults and children. Super ball scooping is also an enjoyable game that tests skill and luck, using a thin paper scoop called “poi” to catch colorful balls floating in water.
These festival games represent nostalgic childhood memories for Japanese people and offer fresh, fascinating cultural experiences for international visitors. At our inn, we treasure opportunities to let guests casually experience these uniquely Japanese play cultures.
The Special Unity That Festivals Create
The beauty of Japanese summer festivals lies in the sense of unity as local people come together to enjoy themselves. The usually quiet station street overflows with taiko drum sounds and people’s laughter on this day, enveloped in the special atmosphere of this “hare” (celebratory) day.
Our Inn’s Unique Festival Experience
One of our inn’s greatest attractions is our excellent location, just minutes on foot from the Oiden Matsuri venue on the station street. Guests can drop off their luggage and immediately join the festival, and return to rest at the inn whenever they feel tired.
Looking Toward Next Year’s Oiden Matsuri.We Recommend Early Reservations.
During the Oiden Matsuri period, our inn becomes very busy. To enjoy this special Japanese summer festival experience, we recommend making reservations early.
Conclusion – Come Experience Authentic Japanese Summer
Japan has numerous festivals throughout the country, each showcasing the unique characteristics of their respective regions. Nakatsugawa’s “Oiden Matsuri” is also a traditional Japanese summer festival deeply rooted in the local community. You can feel the warm atmosphere of Nakatsugawa’s people and the wonderful traditional culture firsthand.
Please come experience the uniquely Japanese festival stall culture. On August 12th and 13th next year, Nakatsugawa’s hot summer and our inn’s warm hospitality will be waiting for you. We promise your Japanese summer will become a truly special memory.
We’ve also posted about the day of Oiden Matsuri on our Instagram, so please check that out as well.