Events around Roopt Ishinomaki Hagurocho

This is Shotaro Ishinomori's manga museum, built on a sandbank in the Kitakami River. Original drawings of Kamen Rider and Cyborg 009 are on permanent display.

Special exhibitions change every few months, so even on a second visit, the content will be different.Destination for rainy dayscan also be used as.

⚠️ The entire museum is scheduled to be closed from mid-October 2026 to early January 2027 for maintenance work on the 3rd floor (please check the Manga Museum's announcement for specific dates).

It's within walking distance from your accommodation in Ishinomaki. The street outside the museum (Ishinomaki Manga Road) also has character statues, so the journey won't be boring.

This is the one day a year when Ishinomaki's fish market, boasting one of Japan's largest catches, opens to the public. There are tuna filleting demonstrations and fresh fish auctions, allowing you to experience the morning of Ishinomaki, a port town, firsthand.

The morning is key, so go early. The market floor can be wet, so wear comfortable shoes.

This is a night illumination event at Entsuin Temple in Matsushima, famous for the reflection of autumn leaves in the Shinji Pond. The entire garden is lit up, and the scenery where the water surface and autumn leaves overlap twice is a classic of Matsushima's autumn.

The beauty requires no words, so we highly recommend it to international visitors. It's a great evening destination for those staying in Matsushima, or extending their visit from Shiogama or Higashimatsushima. Please check the official website for lighting times before your visit.

This is a special autumn night visit to the National Treasure Zuiganji Temple, associated with Date Masamune, with light art by the creative group NAKED. You can walk through the temple grounds, which have a completely different appearance at night.

The adjacent Entsuin Temple also illuminates its autumn leaves during the same period, so you can visit both in one evening. This experience requires no language, making it easy to recommend to international visitors.

This is the autumn festival of Jomon Village, located near the National Historic Site, Satohama Shell Mounds. There are Jomon experiences like fire-starting, and events related to Okumatsushima's oysters.

For families with children. Please check the city's announcement for dates.

This is Matsushima's winter tradition, an oyster-filled festival. There are steamed, grilled, and fried oyster tastings, free samples, and even a warming foot bath.

You can enjoy the blessings of the Sanriku sea on the spot, so it's a prime target if you're staying in Matsushima in winter. The date is approximately the first Sunday of February, but please check the Matsushima Tourism Association's announcement for the confirmed date as the event approaches.

This festival is associated with the "San Juan Bautista" ship, from which Date Masamune dispatched the Keicho Embassy to Europe. Set in the San Juan Museum and Park, which houses a replica ship, the festival features local fife and drum corps, marching bands, traditional performing arts such as Watanoha Shishifuryu, food and merchandise stalls, and commemorative photos on board.

Admission is often free on the day of the festival, allowing you to experience history and festivities by the sea in Ishinomaki all at once. Dates will be announced on the official website as the event approaches.

This is Ishinomaki's largest festival. It began with gratitude to the pioneers who opened the mouth of the Kitakami River and has continued for over 100 years.

During the day, there are parades and Sonobe-bune boat races in the city center, and at night, fireworks light up the Kitakami River. After the earthquake, it also became a festival of "repose" and "reconstruction," holding great significance for the local people.

The fireworks reflect on the river, so they are clearly visible from the opposite bank. Traffic restrictions will be in place around the venue, so accommodation within walking distance is a strong advantage.

This is an Obon event where lanterns are floated on Matsushima Bay to send off ancestors. Lights and fireworks illuminate the sea of one of Japan's Three Scenic Views.

The 15th is the eve festival with stalls, Bon Odori dancing, and taiko drums. The 16th is the main day of the Daiseigakie, where lanterns are floated after sutra chanting. Both nights feature memorial fireworks for about 15 minutes.

These are not fireworks for tourism, but rather send-off fires. It is customary to watch them quietly.

This fireworks festival for memorial and reconstruction on the Naruse River has continued since the Taisho era. The highlight is the summer night scene where lanterns float on the river surface, accompanied by approximately 1,000 fireworks.

One of the summer highlights for accommodations in Higashi-Matsushima. It is a fixed-date event held on August 16th during Obon. Details of the event will be announced on the official Higashi-Matsushima City website closer to the date.