Do you like to see something traditional during your trip to Japan? Do you love Kimono (Japanese traditional clothes)? Maybe you think of Maiko/geisha dance events and Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the ages) in Kyoto in October. Beside this festival, there are many occasions to enjoy the nice Kimono festival all around Japan.

Why do not you check the Oiran Dochu parade? 

Oiran Dochu ("花魁道中", "おいらん道中" in Japanese) means a parade of Japanese traditional courtesans.

Oiran were courtesans in Japan mainly in Edo Period (1600-1868). Oiran were considered to be prostitutes. But they are distinguished from ordinary prostitutes where they were entertainers and many became celebrities outside the pleasure districts (famous ones incl. Yoshiwara, Tokyo, Shimabara, Kyoto and Shinmachi, Osaka). 

In this edition, we try to keep the information as latest as possible as new info coming up!

<< Looking for a place to buy authentic Kimono from Japan? Check this out! >>

It is said that in these districts the highest rank Oiran ("Tayu") were more powerful than high rank officials even.

Today prostitution is prohibited in Japan thus there are supposed to be no real Oiran. "Oiran Dochu " consists of those who play Tayu and many of her fellow Oiran and their servants marching through the town, all of whom are in traditional Japanese clothes. 

The clothes of Tayu, especially, are something you should not miss. If including the high wooden footwear (called "Geta") which are around 15cm tall, all of the Tayu costume weighs 20-30kg. Tayu also dances with this costume.

Here Onegai Kaeru team researched and made the list of the event all over Japan through the year.

Please note that the date is only valid as of early 2017 subject to change and can be cancelled or replaced with another event (such as an indoor stage show) if raining. 

From our experience there is usually a big crowd and you better be 1-1.5 hours in advance to get a good location (ask the staff at your inn/hotel or at the local information desk, what/where better). Go to toilet before reaching the destination (can expect a long line up for the toilet nearby) and bring something you can sit on,  probably a plastic bag in case you may be so tired standing.

Several festival organizers of these parades recruit performers for the parade. If you are interested in playing one of the performers, you can apply for the role. We often see foreigners in the parade.

Often the parade marches 2 times a day in the festival namely walking from one location to the other, and Oiran perform some shows then walking back to the start point.

So let us start the list of Oiran Dochu parade across Japan. If you know other cool festival we should check out, please feel free to contact us!  ( Of course, for your note, we put the notice for Jidai festival all around Japan as well so that you do not miss it )

SHIZUOKA FESTIVAL OIRANDOCHU ( IN JP " 静岡まつり花魁道中 ")

Location and time:

Around Sunpu castle and Sunpu park, Shizuoka (very close to Shizuoka station)

30 March-1st April (as announced 2018, no specific info as to the exact date)

For this festival, the main event is Hanami-Gyoretsu where 400 people in Kimono marching across the event area (check the photos of the event).  Oiran dochu event is not the main event.

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp)

Contact: write from this form

The above video is for Hanami march where 400 Kimono people marching across Shizuoka Sunpu castle area.

Click here to find your stay for the event period!

Oiran Dochu in Ichiyo Zakura matsuri (festival) (in Jp "一葉桜まつり 江戸吉原おいらん道中")

Location and time:

Asakusa where Sensoji temple is, Taito ward, Tokyo (near Asakusa station). The event taking place between Komatsubashi str (小松橋通り) and Yanagi str (柳通り)

14th April (as announced 2018) 10:00 and 16:00 

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp)

Contact:03-3839-5229

Note: This one is a festival onegai kaeru often go. It is in Asakusa area. If you are in Tokyo early April, better check this out!

Find your stay nearby the Ichiyo matsuri from HERE! 

Bunsui Oiran Dochu (festival) (in Jp "分水桜まつり")

Location and time:

Tsubame city, Niigata (near Bunsui station)

15th April(2018) 12:00 and 14:00 Sunday

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp)

The organizer looking for a shop to be at the festival (in this link, only in Japanese)

Contact: +81 256-64-7630

Find your stay nearby the Bunsui Oiran Dochu from HERE!

Oiran Dochu in Sakura Matsuri (festival) (in Jp "おいらん道中in桜祭り")

Location and time:

Hamochihongo, Sado, Niigata (60min by car from Ryotsu port)

16th April(2017) 15:00

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp)

Contact: +81 259-86-3200

Find your stay nearby the Oiran Dochu Sakura Matsuri event from HERE!

Note: Kurofune Matsuri taking place in Shimoda, Izu 19-21 May. For the pictures from the festival, please refer to this.  For the latest info for 2017, please check here (only in Japanese).

Joro Dochu in Sentei-sai (festival) (in Jp "先帝祭")

Location and time: 

Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 

2-4 May(2018)

09:30AM

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp)

Contact: +81 83-223-1144

Note: The festival lasts from 2-4 May. The Joro Dochu is on 3rd of May. In this festival, you will see a lot of Samurai old Japanese worriers as well as beautiful kimono girls.

Find your stay nearby the Sentei-sai from HERE!

Oiran Dochu in Namidamachi, Miyazaki

Location and time:

4th May, 2017　(not announced yet in 2018)

18:00-21:30

Aozora virginia beach Hiroba as main stage　(route may change depending on the weather)

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp)

Contact: only email from the above link. click "お問い合わせ"

Oiran Dochu in Shakuson Kotan-sai (festival) (in Jp " 釈尊降誕祭 ")

Location and time:

Sakado, Saitama

5th May(2016,  not announced for 2017 as of Feb 2017 yet) 13:00 and 15:00

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp)

Contact: +81 49-283-1331

Find your stay nearby the Kotan-sai from HERE!

(We list up the hotel/inn in Kawagoe city near Sakado. Kawagoe is one of beautiful cities with traditional buildings. Alternatively, Sakado is close to Tokyo therefore, if you stay in Tokyo area, you can just go from there)

Oiran Dochu in Sakata matsuri (festival) RUMORED (in Jp "酒田まつり")

Location and time:

Sakata, Yamagata

19-21 May (2016,  not announced for 2017 as of Feb 2017 yet)  exact day and time n.a. (as of Feb, 2017)

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp)

Contact: +81 234-24-2233

Note: Some media reported that a group of hair dressers in Sakata "trying" to revive the Oiran Dochu in Sakata festival, 2016. Probably not taking place.   

Find your stay nearby the Sakata matsuri from HERE!

<< Looking for a place to buy authentic Kimono from Japan? Check this out! >>

Oiran Dochu in Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri (festival) (in Jp "品川神社例大祭")

Location and time: Shinagawa (near Kita-Shinagawa station and Shin-Bamba station), Tokyo

26th September 16:00

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp) 

Contact: +81 3-3472-4772

Find your stay nearby the Shinagawa Shukuba matsuri from HERE!

Shinagawa is in Tokyo. We list up here the list of hotel/inn in Shinagawa area but if you stay somewhere else as long as Tokyo area, it should not be too far to travel.

Note: This is a very important month for those who want to see gorgeous Kimono and Samurai. Around 22 Oct, Kyoto Jidai festival (時代祭り) to take place. This is not Oiran Dochu but there are ca 2000 people in the clothes from each time period in the history of Japan marching in the city of Kyoto.  Keep this date in your calendar. For more details, check this.

Oiran Dochu in Osu Daido Chonin Matsuri (festival) (in Jp "大須大道町人祭")

Location and time: Osu, Nagoya (near Osukannon station)

10-11th October (This is for 2016. Not announced as of 2017 yet )

There are several time slots on these two days

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp)

Contact: +81 52-261-2287

Note: The festival lasts from 9th till 11th Oct. On this festival you see many street performers.

Find your stay nearby the Osu Daido matsuri from HERE!

It is not far from Nagoya city. It is an option to stay in Nagoya city centre. You have plenty of place to stay! Find out from HERE!

Note: Nirayama Jidai festival, Izu to take place around early Nov. The location is around Nirayama Jidai Theater, Izu.  For details, check this out.

Gyoda Ninja festival is also taking place in Nov. The location is in Gyoda city, Saitama ( close to Tokyo). For details, check this out.　

Oiran Dochu in Oiso Shukuba matsuri (festival)  (in Jp " 大磯宿場まつり") 

Location and time:

Oiso, Kanagawa

1st November Oiso, exact time n.a. (This is for 2016. Not announced as of 2017 yet )

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp) 

Contact: +81 463-61-5719

Note: it is between to Odawara and Kamakura. It has also nice beach (probably too cold to swim in Nov though!!).

Find your stay nearby the Oiran Oiso Shukuba matsuri from HERE!

It is not far from Kamakura city. It is an option to stay in Kamakura. You have plenty of place to stay! Find out from HERE!

It is also not far from Odawara city. Find out from HERE!

Source: Nagasaki city

Oiran Dochu in Maruyama Hana matsuri (festival)  (in Jp " 丸山華まつり") 

Location and time:

Nagasaki-city, Nagasaki (around Umezonomigawarimangu shrine and Shi-an-bashi bridge)

12-13rd November ( the Oiran Dochu Parade starts on 13 Nov (2016,  not announced for 2017 as of Feb 2017 yet), subject to change every year)

Relevant Link (probably only in Jp) 

Contact: +81 95-823-2281

Find your nice stay in Nagasaki

We hope you find a good oiran dochu event for your trip in Japan. You will see many beautiful kimono there as well as many street shops for tasty snacks and drinks (of course!). The route may change usually depending on weather. If you are not sure, contact the organizer for further information.

Recommended for you:

<< Looking for a place to buy authentic Kimono from Japan? Check this out! >>

<<Needing a Kimono wedding planner? Check this out!>>

Related links:

Are you looking for a beautiful inn/hotel with private hot spring? Check out more from HERE!

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Source: Wikipedia, each festival organizer's official website

Disclaimer: Even though we try to make the info as updated and accurate but the accuracy of the information herein is not guaranteed by us. If you have any uncertainty, please contact the information source.