Like most places in Japan, Miyakonojo has its fair share of festivals all year round. MAJET add every single festival to our Google Calendar so be sure to check that out for more information.

---

The Bonchi Matsuri is held on the first weekend of August. In addition to various community groups, the city drafts two foreigners (外国人) each year to learn traditional Japanese dances or performances. Hundreds of folks dance through the streets, ahead of the portable stages where the two main performers strut their stuff. And, like every big bash in Japan, fireworks will follow! Miyakonojo International Association also run a traditional dance experience at Bonchi Matsuri. The Association dresses foreigners in yukata (summer kimono) and teach them two dances with will be performed in the festival parade down Route 10. To participate, please keep an eye out for RSVP details which will be released in July on MIA’s facebook page.

(To dance at Bonchi Matsuri on August 5th, 2017, please email an expression of interest to MIA at mia@btvm.ne.jp )

The Takajo Kanonike Fireworks Festival is held every August.

The Scarecrow Festival in Yamada-cho is held every October.

Every November, a huge Yakiniku Carnival is held. Buy tickets to exchange for various meats which you grill yourself under the stars. The evening is capped off with the biggest fireworks show in Miyazaki!

The World Festa is held biannually in January, and is designed to promote international exchange. Foreigners from all over the prefecture set up booths at the Miyakonojo Wellness Center and host enjoyable activities and games for kids and adults alike. This is usually followed by a series of performances to round off the day.

Every spring, Mochio Park is lit up with lanterns and filled with stalls for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

A Taiko Festival is held every June at MJ Hall.

The Okage Matsuri is held in the first week of July. Watch fantastic floats being paraded through the streets, the omikoshi (御神輿, ‘portable shrines’) winding their way to Kanbashira Shrine, where food stalls and fireworks await.