Shimonoseki Kaikyo Festival is based on real historical events in Kanmon Kaikyo [Channel]. ‘Jourou Douchu’ (left), the beautiful Noblewomen Parade, is based on the Naval Battle of Dannoura of 1185 when the Heike clan lost their power. In the　’Senteisai’ festival (middle), the Noblewomen in the parade visit the Akama Shrine. The ‘Genpei Fune Gassen’ festival (right) is a reenactment of the Genpei War, in which armored samurais of the Genji and Heike clans got into boats with red and white banners and fought against each other. History seems to come alive at these festivals. Also on Ganryujima Island, there is the “‘Ganryujima Island Festival’, at which you can have a picnic, enjoy a concert and see a performance of the famous sword duel between Musashi Miyamoto and Kojiro Sasaki.

Date: May 3rd (National Holiday)/annually
Location: The coast of Kanmon Kaikyo [channel] Shimonoseki (Karato Pier), Ganryujima Island, etc.

The fireworks festival lights up the summer night sky in Kanmon Channel. More than 13,000 fireworks are set off from both Shimonoseki (Honshu) and Moji (Kyushu). The fireworks display is set against the beautiful night skyline of Kanmon Kaikyo. This fireworks festival has become one of the most famous in all of Japan and attracts a huge audience.

Date: August 13th /annually
Location: From Aruka Port area to the entire Kanmon Kaikyo [channel] coast

Shimonoseki has a long history of having very active night markets. ‘Shimonoseki Bakan Festival’ is a street festival that takes place throughout the whole city. There are a great variety of events on the streets and it is very fun. At the ‘Heike-Odori Taikai’ held at the end of August more than 6,000 people squeeze themselves onto the stage and perform the world famous dance ‘Heike-Odori’. Just watching the people dancing is exciting enough, but the vibrations from the drum beats amplifies the experience.

Date: Weekend in late August/annually
Location: Along the street from JR Shimonoseki Station to Karato