Boat Festival 2025 – A unique festival where boats collide! ~Premium once-a-year experience~ (2 days, 1 nights)

Azumino is a hub for many amazing tourist destinations that have been preserved, such as the mountains of the Northern Alps, Wasabida Springs Park, and Bijin-no-yu (hot springs). This sightseeing tour is aimed at allowing foreigners to participate in the traditional cultural boat festival of Hotaka Shrine. The boat festival is held every year on September 26/27. At the festival's climax, the two largest boats clash together in a frenzied display that excites the crowd. This festival was also designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Nagano Prefecture in April 2009. This traditional Japanese culture has been preserved and passed down by the local people, led by a preservation society. Normally, only people from the local area would be allowed to join in; however, you will be given the opportunity to also participate through this tour. The tour is available as an overnight stay plan with rich exchanges with the locals and a dedicated guide during the entire tour. The 2-day plan features optional content for you to experience on the first day, and you can participate in the festival on the second. Enjoy two days where you can fully experience Azumino’s nature, food, and history.

Tour Price

Boat Festival 2025 - A unique festival where boats collide!
~Premium once-a-year experience~ (2 days, 1 nights)

per person: 75,000 yen (tax included)

*Participants must be at leat 18 years of age.

Plan Details

Included Experiences	Hotaka Shrine Boat Festival, Boat pulling experience, Soba making experience, Wasabi field tour, Wasabi harvesting experience, Shinshu Salmon farm tour, Shinshu Salmon sashimi tasting.

Dates	September 26 (Fri) to 28 (Sun), 2025
Included in the Tour Price	Breakfast (x1), Lunch (x2), Dinner (x1), English Speaking Guide, Hotaka Shrine stamp, Boat pulling experience
Minimum Participants	2 people
Maximum Participants	10 people
Operating Company	OGS Local Trip (Office Global Support)
Licensed tour conductor	None (tours are led by unaccredited, English-speaking guides)
Start Time	13:00
Duration	2 days, 1 night
Reservation Deadline	August 31 (Sun), 2025
Payment Method	Cash payment in person only

Tour Itinery

Day 1	September 26 (Fri) 13:00 Hotaka Station　………　13:30 Hotaka Shrine　………　14:00 Visit the Boat Festival Museum (learn about the festival and its history) & Night Festival Event 17:30 Depart Hotaka Station　＝(shuttle bus)＝　18:00 Arrive Azumino Hotaka View Hotel or Hotaka Onsen accommodations, then dinner ……… (on foot) *By car if raining.
Day 2	September 27 (Sat) Arrive at the hotel and enjoy breakfast＝10:00 Leave Hotel　＝(shuttle bus)＝　11:00 Lunch & Boat Pulling Experience　………- 14:00 Breaktime after visiting the Ofune Museum (take a break at the store and take a commemorative photograph) …16:30　See the festival's climax as the two largest boats clash together in a exciting frenzied display at Hotaka Shrine…17：30 Disband at Hotaka Station　　　 ……… (on foot)

Day 1

September 26 (Fri)
13:00 Hotaka Station　………　13:30 Hotaka Shrine　………　14:00 Visit the Boat Festival Museum (learn about the festival and its history) & Night Festival Event
17:30 Depart Hotaka Station　＝(shuttle bus)＝　18:00 Arrive Azumino Hotaka View Hotel or Hotaka Onsen accommodations, then dinner

……… (on foot) *By car if raining.

Day 2

September 27 (Sat)
Arrive at the hotel and enjoy breakfast＝10:00 Leave Hotel　＝(shuttle bus)＝　11:00 Lunch & Boat Pulling Experience　………- 14:00 Breaktime after visiting the Ofune Museum (take a break at the store and take a commemorative photograph) …16:30　See the festival's climax as the two largest boats clash together in a exciting frenzied display at Hotaka Shrine…17：30 Disband at Hotaka Station　　　

……… (on foot)

Meeting Place

Hotaka Station (JR Oito Line)

Please Note

・Clothing/items to bring

Festival costumes will be provided, but please note that clothes may get dirty depending on the activity. Please bring a spare change of clothes.

・Activities

Please bring clothes that are easy to move in and shoes that are comfortable to walk in for the activities.

・Cuisine

A menu that features local ingredients will be provided, but please inform us of any allergies that you have in advance. We will provide as much support as possible.

・An English-speaking guide will accompany you after gathering and until you ride the courtesy car.

Cancellation Fee

2-7 days before the tour: 30％
Day before tour: 50％
Day of Tour: 100％

Company Responsible for Planning & Implementation

Office Global Support Co., Ltd.

Regional Travel Agency (Nagano Prefecture Governor Registered Travel Agency Region No. 644)
1838 Hotaka Kashiwabara, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture
Contact: 0263-55-0205

Reservations

Click here to book

Tour Contents

Day 2: Hotaka Shrine Boat Festival, Boat Pulling Experience

Join local residents to parade boat-shaped floats through town, arriving at Hotaka shrine. The boat festival is held annually on September 27 and is the largest festival held at Hotaka Shrine. Locals of all ages fill the shrine grounds, their smiles and energy creating a festive atmosphere. At the festival's climax the two largest boats clash together in a frenzied display that excites the crowd.