2026 Hokkaido Numata "Fighting Lantern" Andon Festival 1-Day Bus Tour from Sapporo

Don't just observe Japanese tradition—experience the cycle of life, destruction, and rebirth. Secure your spots now for Hokkaido's most genuine, energetic evening!

"Harmony and courtesy? Then why are numerous Japanese locals coming together for a huge group fight?"

If you're tired of overly commercialized, crowded tourist attractions where you merely observe from a distance, the Numata Andon Festival is the perfect escape. This is a vibrant, fast-paced celebration that showcases enormous, illuminated paper lanterns—but with an exhilarating, fierce twist that uncovers a different aspect of Japan.

With very few international visitors around, this tour offers you a unique opportunity to step away from the usual travel experiences and immerse yourself in an authentic, spirited Japanese community festival.

Highlights

• 〇The Spiritual Meaning behind the "Clash" (Kenka): Smash to Rebirth! At first glance, it appears to be a wild and chaotic fight—which is why it is proudly referred to as the "Kenka (Fighting) Festival." However, this ritual clash carries a significant spiritual meaning. It serves as a strong prayer for a prosperous harvest and safeguarding against misfortune. In local customs, the violent crashing and destruction of the lanterns represents "Rebirth" (the renewal of life). The more intense the fighting and the more ferociously the lanterns are broken, the greater the good fortune it brings!
• 〇Feel the Beat of the Taiko Drums: Before witnessing the festival, you'll experience it. The thunderous sound of traditional Japanese Taiko drums resonates through the night air, vibrating directly in your chest. This deep, rhythmic "heartbeat" elevates the energy of the crowd to an exhilarating level.
• 〇The Ultimate Clash of Glowing Giants: As the drums reach their peak, enormous, 7-meter-tall hand-crafted paper lanterns charge and collide with astonishing force! Be captivated as these 5-ton illuminated structures crash into one another, scattering paper and sparks in a stunning display of destruction and rebirth.
• This is 1day bus tour. Will depart from Sapporo Station, takes you directly to the festival venue, and brings you safely back to Sapporo Station.

Itinerary

• Hokkaido Numata "Fighting Lantern"Andon Festival 2026
• Here`s Itinerary
• Depart from JR Sapporo Station North Exit Group Bus Stop
• Sunagawa SA (10min / Rest)
• Arrive at Numata Andon Festival Venue
• Depart from the Festival Venue
• Iwamizawa Service Area(10 min /Rest)
• Arrive at JR Sapporo Station North Exit

Price Details

Included

• Bus
• Japanese Speaking Staff

Not included

• Meals
• English Speaking Guide/Staff
• Paid Seating
• Expenses not mentioned

Important Information

• Admission to the festival venue is free, but paid seating is available on-site.
• The tour fee does not include paid seating fee and meals.
• The festival is scheduled to be held even in the event of rain, but if the festival is canceled due to weather on the day of the festival, this bus tour will also be canceled.
• Routes may be changed or delayed due to irregularities such as road conditions or bad weather. In such cases, please understand that no refunds will be made for cancellations made on the day of the tour.

• Please gather at the designated meeting place at the following times

10 minutes before the bus departure time

We will not wait for passengers who do not show up after the departure time. In this case, we will treat it as "no-show".

• We do not recommend joining tours on the first and last days of your trip. We are not responsible for any delays that may affect your itinerary.
• Cabs or buses will be provided depending on the number of people booked.

【Precautions for passengers】

• Smoking is not permitted on the bus.
• Seats are unreserved. Please note that seats may be assigned due to full capacity or other reasons.
• Please set your cell phone to silent mode and refrain from talking on it.
• Please fasten your seatbelt.
• Please refrain from any other activities that may cause inconvenience to other passengers.

Purchase Notice

*-English guide not included-*

-

---

Information about tour

Place of departure and destination: From Sapporo to Numata

Number of days of travel:1Day

Means of transportation:Bus

Name of bus company:Air Bus

Meal(s): 0

Minimum number of passengers to operate. 1

Number of GUIDE：0

Tour Operator Information

Company Name:Hokkaido Access Network Co.,Ltd.

Address: Hokuto Building 2F, 10-11, Odori Nishi 6-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 060-0042, JAPAN

Tel: 81 (0)11 200 0506

Registration No.: Hokkaido Governor Registration Tourism Industry No.2-485

Membership: The All Nippon Travel Agents Association (ANTA)

Contact Information

Department Name:Inbound Travel Sales Division DMC Department Hokkaido Team

Address: 18th FL, Nissay Sapporo Bldg, 1-1 Kita 3 Jo Nishi 4 Chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0003 Japan

Tel: +81- 11-798-5191

Opening hour :10:00~18:00

(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)

General Travel Services Manager　：Kenji Nagamine

*The Tour Operations Manager is responsible for transactions related to your travel at the sales office handling your travel arrangements.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the explanations provided by the staff about this travel contract, please do not hesitate to contact the above-mentioned Tour Operations Manager.

Please read and understand the Terms and conditions below.

[Travel Terms and Conditions:Domestic Package Tours]

(https://www.access-n.jp/summer2026/ft_yakkan.html)

[Travel Agency Terms and Conditions:Section of Package Tour Contract]

(https://www.access-n.jp/summer2026/ft_jyouken.html)

---

How to Use

Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at the designated location.

Cancellation Policy

• 8 or more day(s) before the activity date: 0% cancellation fee
• Between 3 and 7 day(s) before the activity date: 30% cancellation fee
• Between 1 and 2 day(s) before the activity date: 40% cancellation fee
• On the activity date: 100% cancellation fee