Events in Spring
Hinameguri ( Look around the doll ) at a castle town of Shimabara
Hinameguri at a castle town of Shimabara is a sign of Spring. Why don't you stroll around Shimabara city to meet dolls? More than 3,000 dolls are displayed at more than 100 places including Sightseeing Revival Hall, Bukeyashiki ( Samurai residence ), shops, hotels and restaurants in the city.
"Japanese plum festival" at the Shimabara Castle
300 plum trees are planted in the Shimabara Castle including garden. There are variety of Japanese plum trees such as “Kagoshima kobai”(red colour of Japanese plum), “Shirokaga” (white colour of Japanese plum) and “Bungo” (gentle rose colour of Japanese plum like the sign of spring)
2019/2/1〜2019/3/10 Fin.
2019/2/17 Fin.
First market of the year in Shimabara city
The market started in 1618 (early Edo era). Merchants, farmers and fishers near by came to exchange goods for labours who were gathered from all over Japan when Shigemasa Matsukura, the domain of the Shimabara Castle at that time built the castle.
“Flower festival” at Shimabara Hibaruyama flower park
The park opened in 2012, since then the place is popular for citizen to come for relax. From 23 March, “Flower festival in Spring” is held and during the festival, food and product market is also taken place.
2019/3/3〜2019/3/10 Fin.
2019/3/23〜2019/5 Fin.
“Spring festival” in the Shimabara Castle
In the Shimabara Castle, “Cherry blossom festival” was held annually at the end of March. Since 2019, it changed the name as “Spring festival in the Shimabara Castle”. You can experience Japanese tea ceremony and ninja, and also food trucks and daily goods markets in the castle welcome you. The main event is Japanese dance performance by Shimabara Castle Shichimangoku Bushotai.
2019/3/24 Fin.
Events in Summer
Thanksgiving festival for mother nature of spring water in Shimabara
Shimabara is so well-watered town that it is called “a city of water”. There are more than 60 spring water spots in the city and the water flow in total is 200,000 tons a day.
Send-off-spirit ceremony which is proud of having a tradition of over 300 years.
After Shimabara-Amakusa rebellion, Tadafusa Koriki, new domain of Shimabara rebuilt temples and shrines, and made the Buddhism become popular to stabilise citizen’s mind.
2019/8/3 Fin.
2019/8/15 Fin.
Shimabara onsen “Gamadasu” fireworks festival
It started in 1993 to pray for disaster recovery from Mt. Fugen volcanic eruption and revitalise tourism of Shimabara. This festival takes root in this town as summer feature.
2019/8/22 Fin.
Events in Autumn
Autumn festival at the Shimabara Castle
A one-night big event produced by Shimabara Bhoutai! !
Stage events, catering and various collaborations are a must-see!
60,000 of sunflowers
At Shimabara Hibaruyama flower park with a panoramic view of Mt. Heiseishinzan which is the highest peak of Mt. Unzen, it is the perfect season to see cosmos from the beginning of October to the middle of November. In 2018, unfortunately the festival of cosmos was cancelled due to intense heat of summer and insect affection. However you can enjoy 60,000 of sunflowers instead.
2019/9/15 Fin.
Shimabara Onsen Shiranui（mysterious lights on the sea）festival
It begins from ”Kentosai” which is a thanks giving festival to Onsen. Following that, festivals such celebrating histories, cultures and mother nature of Shimabara city are held on a large scale at the Shimabara Castle, a key place.
“Shimabara Takiginou” (a torchlight performance of Noh), world class Japanese traditional art
A long history and culture of “Noh and Kyogen” is transmitted to current generation in Shimabara. And also the record of the domain of Shimabara and lots of textbooks of “Noh and Kyogen” in Matsudaira Library have been succeeding generations.
2019/11/4
2019/10/19
Shimabara home industry exhibition
It is the exhibition to introduce the industry and the local products of Shimabara city. There are more than 100 shops and groups to sell local products, sweets and smithing, and lots of visitors come to enjoy it.
Memorial service for Shigemasa Matsukura, the lord of Shimabara Castle
It is the celebration of Matsukura Shigemasatoshi, the first landlord that opened the city of Shimabara. The memorial service at the Matsukura Tomb in Kotouji Temple is taken place by Monk.
2019/11/16
Events in Winter
Shimabara Winter Night Fantasia
Shimabara's winter tradition. It is started in hope of reconstruction from the disaster of Mt. Fugendake eruption, and the Shimabara Port area is illuminated with colu
ourful illumination for each theme such as animal zone, romantic zone and character zone.