The Kamaishi Festival is where two major annual festivals from two shrines happens, one is Osaki Shrine, which is worshiped by people related to fishing and the sea, the other is Yama Shrine, which is worshiped by people related to mining and iron ore. The Mikoshi procession, the heroic Hikifune (towing of boats), and the Geinoh parade from the festivals are all worth seeing. Your heart will be taken once you see iconic shrine ceremony and the parade of the town where people live with ocean and steel industry.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining,” which includes the Hashino Iron Mining and Smelting Site (Hashino Blast Furnace Remains and related sites), on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Along with the Kamaishi Festival, enjoy Japanese steel history of which have supported Japanese modernization.

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Venue　Central area of Kamaishi city, Osaki Shrine, Nippon Seitetsu-san Shrine, Kamaishi Port

Performer Groups

Nanbuhan jyusyoin Nengyoji Daikagura	Yagumo Kagura	Hirata Kagura
Higashimae Daikagura	Nishiki-cho Toramai	Osaki Toramai
Heita Toramai	Tadagoe Toramai	Kogawa Shishiodori

2025 Festival Time Schedule

Date	Content	Time・Venue
October 17（Fri）	Osaki Shrine Yoimiya Festival	18:00～ Osaki Shrine
October 18（Sat）	Hikifune Festival	9:00～ departing from Kamaishi Fish Market
	Hikifune Festival（in Wamaishi port）	11:30～ Osaki Shrine Mikoshi Kaijyo Togyo (sea procession) in Kamaishi port
	Osaki Shrine Annual Festival	15:00～ Osaki Shrine
	Nippon Seitetsu-san Shrine Yoimiya Festival	17:30～ Yama Shrine
October 19（Sun）	Osaki Shrine Shutsugyo-sai(Mikoshi Departure Celemony)	7:50～ Osaki Shrine
	Nippon Seitetsu-san Shrine Annual Festival	7:50～ Yamashrine
	Osaki Shrine・Yama Shrine Collaborative Festival	11:20（Sea Plaza Kamaishi, west parking area)
	Both Mikoshi from two shrines departing from city	12:10（Sea Plaza Kamaishi, west parking area → Kamaishi Fish Market ）
	Departing from Kamaishi Fish Market	15:30

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Other nearby sightseeing sites’ information

Kamaishi Rental Bike↗　https://kamaishi-kankou.jp/access/rentacycle/

Micro Mobility (Reservation required 3 days in advance) ↗　https://kamaishi-kankou.jp/access/micro-mobility/

Hashino Iron Mine

It is the oldest surviving blast furnace remains in Japan, located in the northwestern part of Kamaishi City. From the late Edo period (1603–1868) to the Meiji era (1868–1912), this site played a pioneering role in Japan’s industrialization in the fields of heavy industry—iron and steel, shipbuilding, and coal mining. As part of the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining,” it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.

To gain a deeper understanding, we recommend taking a guided tour (available for a fee) offered by the resident staff at the Information Center.

There is no public transportation to get to this site. Please utilize taxi service only available for weekend “Hashino Tekko-san Taxi 3 hour plan” →　https://kamaishi-kankou.jp/news/7255/

Adress	Hashino Iron Mine Information Center 2-6 Hashinocho, Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture 026-0411
Opening Hour	9:30～16:30
Close	Closing during winter（12/9～3/31）
Tour Guide	500 Yen per participants　*Group discount available for more than 2 participants
Contact	TEL: 0193-54-5250

Kamaishi Ramen

Kamaishi Ramen is the local specialty of Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, characterized by its ultra-thin curly noodles and a light, amber-colored soy sauce-based broth.

Around 1955, when both the steel industry and the fishing industry were flourishing, the city had many company housing complexes known as Harmonica Nagaya (six-unit row houses). On payday, it was a family treat to order ramen by delivery—then costing just 30 to 50 yen per bowl.

Another story says that in the bustling downtown area, where the fishing port prospered and fishermen—somewhat impatient but known for their generous spirit—strode about, the quick-serving style of ramen with extra-thin noodles spread naturally and became popular.
Kamaishi Ramen has grown together with the city’s development. Today, it is served at many restaurants across Kamaishi. Please use the Ramen Map to guide your visit.

Kamaishi Ramen Map →　https://kamaishi-kankou.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kamaishi_ramen_map2024.pdf

For other sightseeing sites and accommodation information →釜石観光物産協会　かまなび

Access to Kamaishi city

Access example form Osaka・Tokyo to Kamaishi city 　
（Kamaishi Festival will be held for three days, October 17th (Fri.)~ 19th (Sun.)）

Departure-Arrival	Transportation
Outbound Trip	
（06:08）Shin-Osaka StationーTokyo Station（08:33)	Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi 282 bound for Tokyo
（08:45）Tokyo StationーShin-Hanamaki Station（11:53)	Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko 53 bound for Morioka
（12:18）Shin-Hanamaki StationーKamaishi Station（13:57)	JR Kamaishi Line　Express Hamayuri 53 bound for Kamaishi
Festival Viewing・Sightseeing・Lodgging	
Returning Trip	
（12:09）Kamaishi Station－Shin-Hanamaki Station（14:01）	JR Kamaishi Line bound for Hanamaki
（14:20）Shin-Hanamaki Station－Sendai Station（15:23）	Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko 60 bound for Tokyo
（15:31）Sendai Station－Tokyo Station（17:04）	Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa 110 bound for Tokyo
（17:12）Tokyo Station－Shin-Osaka Station（19:39）	Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi 83 bound for Hiroshima