Furusato Miya Matsuri

The Furusato Miyamatsuri (Hometown Miyamatsuri) is one of Utsunomiya’s most iconic summer events, held every year on the first Saturday and Sunday of August around the city’s main streets. The festival celebrates community spirit through lively parades, traditional performances, and vibrant displays of local culture.

The festival began in 1976 as a project by the Utsunomiya Junior Chamber of Commerce to mark its 10th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of Utsunomiya’s city status. At the time, rapid urbanization was changing city life and reducing opportunities for residents to connect. To strengthen community ties, local leaders proposed a new festival where citizens could come together and share their pride in Utsunomiya.

The first event was a major challenge, organised entirely from scratch. Decisions about performances, scheduling, and road closures required countless meetings and coordination. What was planned as a one-time celebration quickly became a beloved tradition thanks to strong public support. Since then, the Furusato Miyamatsuri has grown into a signature symbol of Utsunomiya’s summer.

Today, the festival is jointly managed by several local organisations. Festival participants belong to groups such as the Mikoshi (portable shrine), Odori (dance), Taiko drumming, and Folk Performing Arts teams. Each group performs along the main streets, filling the city centre with music, colour, and excitement.

Now continuing for more than four decades, the Furusato Miyamatsuri has become deeply rooted in Utsunomiya’s identity. Together with the Kinugawa Fireworks Festival, it represents one of the city’s two major summer highlights.

Since the 30th anniversary, the addition of the Miyakko Parade has brought a new generation of participants, ensuring that the festival’s energy and traditions continue to thrive.