Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival

うわじま牛鬼まつり

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Cultural & TraditionalUwajima
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe ushi-oni effigies themselves, elongated
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: JPY
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival in Uwajima

Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival, held July 22-24 in Ehime Prefecture, commemorates the 1593 Siege of Jinju through parading effigies of the ushi-oni, a demon-cow creature five to six meters long with a serpentine neck and sword-shaped tail. Formalized under its current name in 1996, the festival also features bullfighting, fireworks, and dancing across its multi-day program.

The Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival draws its central imagery from a specific historical episode nearly four and a half centuries old: the 1593 Siege of Jinju in Korea during Japan's invasions of the peninsula, when troops under commander Kato Kiyomasa reportedly deployed a turtle-shell-shaped cart wrapped in cowhide and topped with a fabricated demon-cow head, called ushi-oni, as a psychological and tactical weapon against the besieged castle's defenders.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The ushi-oni effigies themselves, elongated demon-cow figures traditionally built from bamboo and dyed red though now appearing in varied colors by neighborhood, are unlike any other creature paraded at Japanese festivals and carry a genuine folk-religious cleansing function as they move through the streets

02

The mystery stays covered

Tracing the imagery back to a specific 1593 wartime tactic gives the festival an unusually concrete historical anchor compared to festivals rooted purely in legend

03

The city starts moving

The combination of ushi-oni parades with traditional bullfighting and a major fireworks display gives visitors several distinct types of spectacle within a single multi-day event

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Effigies of the ushi-oni demon-cow

Water and renewal

Living ritual

five to six meters long with serpentine necks and sword-shaped tails

The sacred route

Living ritual

parade through the streets in a rite believed to cleanse harmful spirits

The local code

Living ritual

alongside traditional bullfighting matches and a major fireworks display

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

For Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival, plan transport around the exact Uwajima venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light, breathable summer clothing for humid late-July conditions, comfortable shoes for standing through parades and bullfighting events, and a hand fan for relief from the heat during...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival, stay near the part of Uwajima you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

JPY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map33.22 N, 132.56 EOpen in Google Maps

Uwajima, Ehime, Japan

Nearest airportMYJ — Matsuyama
TransportFor Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival, plan transport around the exact Uwajima venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival, stay near the part of Uwajima you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Uwajima via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Uwajima, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable summer clothing for humid late-July conditions, comfortable shoes for standing through parades and bullfighting events, and a hand fan for relief from the heat during daytime segments.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Japan and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival?

Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival is listed for July · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Uwajima, Japan. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Uwajima, Ehime, Japan

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLuwajima.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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