Onomichi Tourist Association ONONAVI offers information of sightseeing in Onomichi-city Hiroshima-prefecture (Japanese Food, Cycling, Festivals, Cherry Blossom Viewing, Showplaces and Sightseeing Spots), information of Cherry Blossoms in Onomichi-city, History of Onomichi-city, Nature of Onomichi-city, Culture of Onomichi-city, Festivals in Onomichi-city and Events in Onomichi-city.

Santai Mawashi Gion Matsuri

Time : At the end of June / around 5 o'clock in the evening.
"Santai Mawashi" is the main attraction of 3 Mikoshi (portable shrine floats) scrambling about and competing to obtain a special flag with each other. After this event, those 3 Mikoshi are thrown from a nearby pier into the sea in order to conduct a purifying ritual. This is an incredibly dynamic festival and people can feel the sweat, shouting of joy, and intensity of the men competing.

Innoshima Pirate Festival

Time : At the end of July/at the end of August every year.
The 2nd attraction of Innoshima Pirate Festival is "Hi Matsuri" (Fire Festival).
This is a very masculine attraction that portrays the bravery of pirates in such events as the "Pirates Procession ", "Fireworks", and "Navy Drums".
There is a jumping contest called "Chorakumai Contest" that people dance like jumping or hopping. If you see them, you want to dance and jump with them.
The 3rd attraction of Innoshima Pirate Festival is "Umi Matsuri" (Sea Festival).

Onomichi Sumiyoshi Fireworks Festival

Time : At the end of July to the the beginning of August every year.
In 1740, Hirayama Kakuzaemon Naozumi became the magistrate of Onomichi. In 1741, he moved Sumiyoshi Shrine at the Jodoji Temple to Sumiyoshihama that is located near the present Onomichi Chamber of Commerce. The shrine was made to be the protectorate god of the port.
This festival has been held since the middle of Edo period in order to wish for the prosperity of business and the safety of sea traffic. Onomichi waterway becomes alit with thousands of fireworks. This festival represents summer in Onomichi. The view of fireworks from Senkoji Temple & Park is truly impressive.

Toro Nagashi

Time : At the end of August every year.
This summer festival is held at Jizoin Temple. One thousand paper "toro" lanterns each with lighted candles flow slowly with the tide of the Setoda waterway from under the Kone Bridge toward the Land of Buddha in the West.
"Shoro Bune" (ships with spirits) that are decorated with lanterns is sent out to the sea to console the souls of ancestors.