Best 7 Festivals & Events in Kyushu, June, 2018

Published: May 18, 2018

Updated: Aug 22, 2018

Kyushu is a popular sightseeing destination among domestic and overseas visitors. Kyushu comprises 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. Each prefecture has an abundance of historical architecture, rich nature, food, and local drinks. In this article, we’ll feature June events in Kyushu. Diversify your trip by adding a few events to your travel itinerary.

Nature Events

1. [Fukuoka] Miyajidake Shrine Iris Festival May 31, 2018 through June 10, 2018

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source: XEROism- R32 SKYLINE - SHINOBI.jp

100 varieties and 100,000 stems of irises – the biggest collection in the Kyushu area – will bloom across the shrine grounds at Miyajidake Shrine come late May. A Shinto ritual will be performed during the festival, whereby a priest will harvest the irises and shrine maidens will perform a ritualistic dance to offer the flowers to the Gods. The festival will also feature markets exhibiting and selling traditional crafts, such as the “Minkamura Mingeiten” and “Kaiunshi”. There are traditional folk houses that have been shipped across Japan and rebuilt within the grounds; examples include the “Gasshozukuri Minka”, “Futamunezukuri Minka”, “Kudozukuri Minka”, “Kagiyazukuri Minka”, and a stilted house, among other structures. See and experience flowers, traditional homes, and folk arts at this event.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Scheduled Programs During Event

May 31 to June 10, 2018

Ritualistic Harvesting of Irises May 31, 2018

Access and Address

・Location
Miyajidake Shrine

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
Immediately by the “Miyajidake Jinja-mae” bus stop

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
1 hour from Hakata station by train and bus

・Address 7-1 Miyaji Motomachi, Fukutsu-shi, Fukuoka prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Free admission and reservations are not required

Official Website

http://www.miyajidake.or.jp/

２.2. [Saga] Fireflies at Gion River Mid-May 2018 through Early June 2018

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source: ogi-kankou

Fireflies dance through the air in the upstream section of Gion River in Ogi-shi, Saga prefecture from mid-May to early June. The area is one of Japan’s best sites for viewing fireflies. The Genji fireflies emit a haunting glow, beckoning visitors to a magical world. The beetles appear near the Hotaru River in Ogi Park and move upstream along Gion River as the days pass. At Aratani Dam, which is the last stop on the migration route, you can see tens of thousands of fireflies and the stunning scene has been selected as one of the top 100 scenes of countryside nature. Witness the magical and ephemeral scene for yourself. The neighboring area has various sightseeing spots, including Shimizu waterfall, Suga Shrine, and remnants of Chiba castle. Take some time to explore the area.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Scheduled Programs During Event（ある場合のみ）

Mid-May to early June 2018 From sundown

Access and Address

・Location
Mid to upstream sections of Gion River

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
5-minute drive from Ogi station

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
1 hour and 10 minutes by train from Hakata station

・Address 1941 Ogimachi Iwakura, Ogi-shi, Saga prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Free and reservations are not required

Official Website

http://www.ogi-kankou.com/tourist/826.html

3. [Nagasaki] Huisten Bosch Rose Festival Featuring 2,000 Varieties and 1.2 Million Stems May 12, 2018 through June 3, 2018

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source:fashion-press

Huisten Bosch is a theme park located in Sasebo-shi, Nagasaki prefecture. The theme park hosts events coinciding with the seasons and the “Rose Festival” is one such event. The festival is one of the biggest events for roses in Asia; it will feature 2,000 varieties and 1.2 million stems of roses against a backdrop of brick palaces and canals, performances by top artists at the plaza, and a townscape reminiscent of mid-century Europe. There are photogenic spots in the “Rose Sky Café”, where visitors can overlook the garden, and “Maze of Roses and Aromas”, a sensory overload of vivid colors and aromas. The roses will be illuminated at night, creating a dream-like atmosphere. Explore the park and bask in the exotic ambiance.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Scheduled Programs During Event

May 12, 2018 through June 3, 2018 9:00~22:00 (last entry is 21:00)

*Hours may differ by day

Access and Address

・Location
Huisten Bosch

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
Immediately by Huisten Bosch station

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
2 hours and 20 minutes by train from Hakata station

・Address　 1-1 Huisten Bosch-cho, Sasebo-shi, Nagasaki prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Huisten Bosch Exploration Ticket
Over 18 4,500 yen; middle and high school students 3,500 yen; 4 years old to elementary school students 2,200 yen

Reservations are not required

Official Website

http://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/rose/

4. [Miyazaki] 41st Iris Festival May 26, 2018 through June 3, 2018

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source:nihon-kankou

Awakigahara Forest Park is an expansive park in Miyazaki, measuring 10 km long from North to South. The 160 varieties and 200,000 stems of irises planted in the Iris Garden bloom around this time. The park organizes various attractions, including food and game stalls for children, seminars and exhibits of irises, stage events, and pony rides, while the irises bloom in the garden (some events require a fee).
The park has resting spaces, flower beds, exploration paths, an observation deck, a sports ground, and shops, among other amenities. You can also rent a bike, free of charge. Hop on a bike and see the budding flora, while enjoying the exceptional weather.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Scheduled Programs During Event
May 26, 2018 through June 3, 2018 10:00~16:00

*Open until 21:00 on May 26 (June 2nd if May 26th is rained out)

Access and Address

・Location
Awakigahara Forest Park Citizens’ Park

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
30-minute walk from Hasugaike station

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
40 minutes by train and foot from Miyazaki station

・Address　 128 Yabo, Awakigahara-cho, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Free and reservations are not required

Official Website

http://www.miyazaki-city.tourism.or.jp/tourism/spot/21.html

5. [Kagoshima] Oku-Satsuma Firefly Cruise May 17, 2018 through June 2, 2018

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source:satsuma-net

Come May, you can observe fireflies all over town in Satsuma-cho, Kagoshima prefecture. The “Oku-Satsuma Firefly Cruise” takes place on Sendai River, which runs through the town center; visitors can see countless fireflies drifting near the river banks. Enjoy a memorable time among the swarm of floating fireflies. There are ten boats that cruise for 40 minutes each, carrying a maximum of 190 people per day. Explore the river at night, in search for the glow of fireflies for a romantic moment. Savor the scenes that can only be seen at this time of the year. There are other attractions in town, such as Shiobi Onsen and other hot springs, which will nourish your skin, and Kannon Waterfall, a 15m waterfall located in Kannon Waterfall Park. Explore the various attractions before the fireflies at night.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Scheduled Programs During Event

May 17, 2018 through June 2, 2018
Reception for cruise is from 19:00~20:00
Departs from “Abiru Kan”, starting at 20:00

Access and Address

・Location
Abiru Kan (reception)

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
30 minutes by car from Izumi station

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
30 minutes by car from Izumi station

・Address　 228-7 Koshi, Satsuma-cho, Kagoshima prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Cruise Admission
Adults 1,600 yen; children 800 yen (middle school students and younger) *Reservations are required, and new born babies are not permitted
*Shuttle bus to the dock requires a separate fee

Takes reservations

Official Website

http://www.satsuma-net.jp/skanko/kanko/event/5gatsu-event/hotaru.html

6. [Nagasaki] Home of Fireflies Aiko River Festival May 26, 2018 through June 10, 2018

aiko_hotaru
source:japanfashion

Home of Fireflies Aiko River Festival is an early-summer pastime of Shinkamigoto-cho. Shinkamigoto-cho is colloquially called “Kamigoto”. The festival takes place at Aiko River, a renowned location for firefly observation in Kamigoto. Aiko River is said to harbor the most fireflies in Kamigoto. Here, you can observe the beautiful dance of fireflies. The venue will have an assortment of food stalls. The fireflies await the transition from spring to summer, protected by the rich nature and crystal-clear streams, before flying off into the sky. The dream-like spectacle of countless lights drifting through the air will soothe the soul. Spend a romantic, early-summer evening. There are numerous historic churches in Shinkamigoto-cho that are worth a visit, in addition to natural attractions like the Christian Cave and Akadaki Cliff. Enjoy an adventurous outing.

Schedule

・Event Date and Time
・Scheduled Programs During Event
May 26, 2018 through June 10, 2018

Best time for fireflies: around 20:00~21:00

Access and Address

・Location
Aiko River Upstream, near the Dai-ichi Bridge

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Station
20 minutes by car from Arikawa Port

・Directions and Travel Time from Closest Hub Station
2 hours by high-speed boat and car from Sasebo station

・Address　 Aikogo, Shinkamigoto-cho, Nagasaki prefecture
・Map

Admission and Reservation

Free and reservations are not required

Official Website

http://shinkamigoto.nagasaki-tabinet.com/

Traditional Festivals

7. [Kumamoto] Himuro Festival May 31, 2018 through June 1, 2018

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source:city.yatsushiro

“Himuro” is a cooler room used to store ice from winter through the summer. The tradition started when residents offered ice from the himuro, praying for good health and safety for Hosokawa Tadaoki, a Japanese samurai who retired in Yatsushiro and passed away in 1646. The festival is a renowned event to pray for the safety and good health of people approaching retirement or an “unlucky year”. Himuro Festival is held annually at Yatsushiro Shrine. Currently, people pray for blessings by eating a snow mochi, instead of snow. Snow mochi is a special food reserved for this day. There are numerous attractions in Yatsushiro-shi, including remains of the Yatsushiro Castle, the beautiful valley of Gokanosho, and the Momigi suspension bridge. Visit the surrounding attractions, along with the festival.