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Matsuri Guide

Local festival • Hokkaido (北海道)

利尻浮島まつり

Ukishima Festival of Rishiri

Rishiri Ukishima Matsuri (利尻浮島まつり)

Next date From Thursday, August 5, 2027 to Friday, August 6, 2027
Status Date confirmed
Period Every year on August 5 and 6
Date type Fixed, every year on August 5 and 6
Venue Rishiri-chō Yakuba Senhōshi Shisho (利尻町役場仙法志支所)
Access The festival takes place at two sites in Rishiri-chō: on the first day in the Kutsugata port area around the new pier No. 4, and on the second day at Senhōshi, in front of the Rishiri-chō community center.

Name in Japanese and English

  • 利尻浮島まつり (Rishiri Ukishima Matsuri)
  • Rishiri Ukishima Festival

Summary

利尻浮島まつり (Rishiri Ukishima Matsuri), or Rishiri Ukishima Festival, is the major summer festival of 利尻町 (Rishiri-chō), on the island of 利尻島 (Rishiri-tō). It takes place annually over two days, August 5 and 6, alternating between two areas of the town: 沓形 (Kutsugata) on the first day, then 仙法志 (Senhōshi) on the second. The event combines a port festival, stalls, stage, dance, parade, raffle, and neighborhood atmosphere, in a very island-style format designed to involve the entire community.

Access and landmarks

Location

The festival takes place at two main sites. On the first day, the Kutsugata site is around 沓形港耐震岸壁 (Kutsugata-kō Taishin Ganpeki) and the 新港第4岸壁 (Shinkō Dai-yon Ganpeki), the new quay No. 4 of the port. On the second day, the Senhōshi site is held in front of 利尻町公民館 (Rishiri-chō Kōminkan), the community center of Rishiri-chō.

Addresses

Kutsugata site: 〒097-0401 北海道利尻郡利尻町沓形字富士見町126 area, near the new quay No. 4. Senhōshi site: 〒097-0311 北海道利尻郡利尻町仙法志字本町58-1 area, in front of the Rishiri-chō community center.

Landmark

In Kutsugata, the easiest landmark is the area around 沓形港フェリーターミナル (Kutsugata-kō Ferī Tāminaru) and the new quay No. 4. In Senhōshi, aim for 利尻町公民館 (Rishiri-chō Kōminkan), the central public building of the neighborhood.

Access

For the Kutsugata site, access is easy on foot from the Kutsugata ferry terminal, depending on the exact point in the program. For the Senhōshi site, reach the neighborhood by car, taxi, or local bus, then walk to the community center. Since the festival takes place at two different sites, it is important to check each day the exact location, schedule, and any traffic restrictions.

Event program

The Rishiri Ukishima Matsuri takes place over two evenings, usually starting in the late afternoon. The first day is held in Kutsugata, in the port area, while the second day takes place in Senhōshi. This alternation between two hubs of Rishiri-chō is one of the festival’s strong features: it allows several neighborhoods to participate and gives the event a true communal dimension.

In 沓形 (Kutsugata), the atmosphere is that of a port festival. Visitors find stalls, activities, a stage, and depending on the year, a 花火 (hanabi), fireworks, launched on the port side. Tourist sources also mention the presence of どんと市 (donto-ichi), a lively market or fair, as well as the dance 浮島音頭 (Ukishima Ondō), a traditional and participatory element of the festival.

In 仙法志 (Senhōshi), the evening often places more emphasis on the stage, performances, and the 大抽選会 (dai-chūsenkai), a highly anticipated grand raffle. The exact program may vary by year, but the spirit remains that of a large local gathering where residents, families, visitors, and merchants come together around stalls and activities.

The 提灯 (chōchin), festival lanterns, the stalls, the proximity to the port, and the evening light give the festival a very photogenic atmosphere. When the weather is favorable, the combination of sea, lanterns, stage, and crowd creates a true island postcard setting. In case of wind, rain, or safety constraints, the organization may modify some schedules or locations.

Practical tips

Photos

At Kutsugata-kō, late afternoon is ideal to capture the light on the port, then the blue hour allows photographing lanterns, stalls, and festival atmosphere. If fireworks are announced, arriving early allows spotting an open area and settling before the crowd. At Senhōshi, focus on stage shots, stall details, and audience expressions during the raffle.

Weather

Early August in Rishiri can be mild, but the wind rises quickly near the water and evenings can become cool. Bring a windbreaker, a light layer, and comfortable shoes. In case of rain or strong wind, check local announcements before traveling, especially if fireworks or an outdoor stage are planned.

Transport

Since the festival is spread over two sites, planning your transportation in advance is essential. Kutsugata is convenient from the ferry terminal, while Senhōshi often requires a car, taxi, or local bus. The port areas and surroundings of the community center can fill up quickly; arriving before peak times makes parking and moving around easier.

Visitor tips

To eat without long waits, arrive at the start of the evening and take a first tour of the stalls before choosing. Then save the highlights, such as the stage, dance, raffle, or fireworks, for later. A useful phrase is おすすめは何ですか (osusume wa nan desu ka), "What do you recommend?".

What to bring

Cash, portable charger, windbreaker, wipes or tissues, reusable bag, small rain protection, and a light warm layer if staying late. For fireworks, a compact tripod can be useful, but be careful not to block passageways in crowded areas.

History

The Rishiri Ukishima Matsuri is locally presented as a tradition born in 1968. According to a story published by RISHIRI PLUS, the festival was launched by young residents wishing to make the town livelier during the short summer season of northern Hokkaidō. This origin explains its very community-oriented spirit.

Since its beginnings, the festival has been held in the two main sectors of Rishiri-chō, Kutsugata and Senhōshi. The contents differ by location: parade, dance, stalls, stage, activities, and raffle allow each neighborhood to have its own character. This two-day organization avoids concentrating the entire celebration in one place and reflects the geography of the town.

The name 浮島 (Ukishima), "floating island," evokes a poetic image often associated with Rishiri: that of an island seeming to float on the sea. The festival transforms this image into a summer celebration, with the island’s silhouette, ports, lanterns, and residents’ participation as the main setting.

Recent editions maintain the original spirit while adapting programs to current constraints: port safety, weather, stall organization, stage programming, possible fireworks, and crowd management. Annual announcements remain important to confirm exact locations, schedules, guests, parade, raffle, and any last-minute changes.

Sources & References

Location

Ukishima Festival of Rishiri

📍 Venue:
Rishiri-chō Yakuba Senhōshi Shisho (利尻町役場仙法志支所)
Honchō 58-1, Senhōshi, Rishiri-chō, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaidō 097-0311, Japon

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Upcoming Schedule
  • Aug 5, 2027 - Aug 6, 2027 !
  • Aug 5, 2028 - Aug 6, 2028