【For Next Year】Omuta Daijayama Festival Complete Prep Guide | All Floats & Schedule
Yo! I’m Jasuke! Omuta’s Daijayama Festival makes the summer sizzle, and all the Daija (Great Serpents) are super cool! 🔥 I’ll introduce you to the unique serpents participating in the parade in alphabetical order. Take your time and check them out! For the traditional “Gion Rokuzan” (Six Mountains), check out this page for a detailed explanation!
Parade Schedule (2025 Reference)
- Sunday, July 27th
- 15:00～17:00 Taiko Drum Competition (Shinsakaemachi)
- 17:00～18:00 Kids’ Daija & Kids’ Mikoshi After touring the venue, they will exit towards Chuyu Elementary School.
- 18:00～22:00 Daijayama Grand Assembly Parade (Taishomachi Festival Plaza)Some floats may finish the parade early to return to their local districts for performances.
Below is an introduction to the Daijayama floats participating in the parade.
📸 Photo Collaboration
For this article, some of the photos were kindly provided by the Daijayama video creator “Ayachan TV”. Thanks to this collaboration, we are able to present all floats using the latest photos from 2025!
Ayachan TV releases videos covering the latest news, local processions, and the parade atmosphere. It’s a must-watch for Daijayama fans!
Konryukai Sagariyama 金龍会下里山
Derived from “Konpira Shrine” (Konryukai) and a Meiji-era place name (Sagariyama). It features a somewhat gentle, slightly bewildered expression that has a soothing charm for viewers 😊.
- Official Instagram: @konryukai.sagariyama
Kenzakai Daijayama 県堺大蛇山
Based in the southernmost part of Omuta (the border of the prefecture). Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, it appeared with a nostalgic, classic face. On the third Saturday and Sunday of July, they also hold a local procession alongside the Port Festival, allowing you to enjoy the festival vibes early.
- Official Instagram: @kenzakaidaijayama_official
Sakaemachi Ryueikai 栄町龍栄會
Established in Showa 63 (1988), marking 37 years in 2025. It is characterized by the strong ringing of bells and a slow, unique rhythm. Its blue glowing eyes and a mouth that feels exceptionally large create a powerful impact!
- Highlight: On the fourth Saturday night, a joint performance with Ryuzankai is held in Shinsakaemachi, followed by a joint performance with Gyokueikai on Sunday.
Shinsakaemachi Ryuzankai 新栄町龍山會
With the motto “Do our best no matter what,” they host the Shinsakaemachi Summer Festival. Compared to other floats, it has a stronger black tone and a dignified face. The “Wa-gumi” dance team, using drumsticks, umbrellas, and fans, is also very popular! 💃
- Highlight: Don’t miss the joint performance with Ryueikai on Saturday night, and the powerful three-float performance with Nankan Gion and Yoshino Mutsumikai on Sunday night in Shinsakaemachi.
- Official Instagram: @ryuzankai
Jokan Joryukai 上官上龍會
Born in the Jokan Central District in the 1960s. It breathes smoke and fire, and vigorously blasts “white steam (Kien)” from its mouth. Above all, its “eye power” is intense—the red eyes are incredibly cool and captivate many fans! 😎
Tegama Daija Genbukai 手鎌大蛇玄武會
Influenced by the custom of revering turtles in the Tegama district, you can see turtle motifs on the float. They have a great service spirit, turning the face in all directions during appeal times to entertain the audience! 🐢
- Highlight: Usually, a joint performance with Tairyukai is held on Sunday (Cancelled in 2025).
Douryukai Daijayama 童龍会大蛇山
A Daijayama run mainly by children from Shiranui-cho and Harayama-cho. The sight of children riding on the roof of the float, spreading their arms and shouting “Wasshoi!” with full energy, is very impressive! 🙌
- Official Instagram: @douryukai
Gyokueikai Children’s Daijayama 夏祭り振興旭栄会子供大蛇山
They earn applause every year for their powerful drumstick handling that rivals adults and the performance of the “Sakebito” (shouters/dancers). In 2025, they appeared in a golden form. Though small in size, its impact is second to none.
- Route Info: On the fourth Saturday, it sits in front of Starbucks at YouMe Town Omuta, and moves to Shinsakaemachi on Sunday.
- Highlight: Joint performance with Ryueikai on Sunday night.
- Official Instagram: @gyokueikai_sakebito
Nankan Gion Daijayama 南関ぎおん大蛇山
The only participant from Nankan Town in neighboring Kumamoto Prefecture. Rooted in the festival of Yatsurugi Shrine, it features a unique drum rhythm reminiscent of Japanese Wadaiko. You can tell it’s the “Nankan Daija” just by hearing this sound! 🎶
- Highlight: The three-float performance with Ryuzankai and Yoshino Mutsumikai in Shinsakaemachi after the parade is a must-see.
- Nankan Festival: Held on the first Saturday of August at Yatsurugi Shrine/Sekimachi Shopping Street. See Nankan Town Official Site
Funatsu Shoryukai 船津翔龍会
When you say “White Dragon,” you mean Shoryukai. Active since 2001. The week before the main parade (3rd Sat/Sun of July), their local procession coincides with the Port Festival, so you can enjoy the festival mood early. They have different faces for the Port Festival and the Parade—both are incredibly cool!
Meiji Tairyukai 明治泰龍会
Synonymous with “The Red Daija.” Features a face based on red with white accents and golden eyes. In 2025, it had a stronger white tone than usual. Its appearance is truly an incarnation of flames! 🔥
- Highlight: Usually, a joint performance with Genbukai is held on the bridge on Sunday, but it was cancelled in 2025.
- Official Instagram: @meiji_tairyukai
Yoshino Mutsumikai Daija 吉野睦會大蛇
Known for its unique looks, such as spikes jumping up, distinctive ear shapes, and patterns. In 2025, it appeared stylishly with three piercings in each ear! ✨
- Highlight: On Sunday, they participate in a powerful three-float performance with Nankan Daija and Ryuzankai in Shinsakaemachi.
- Official Instagram: @yoshino_mutsumikai
Jasuke Answers! Q&A
When is the “Yama Kuzushi” (Float Dismantling)?
Good question! The timing of “Yama Kuzushi” (ritual dismantling of the float) is totally different for each group. The surest way is to check each float’s official SNS! Some dismantle immediately after the Port Festival, others do it after returning to their local area after the parade, and some have their climax at their local festival the following week. Keep your eyes peeled till the end!
Where can I see the “Appeal Time”?
That’s the highlight! In 2025, the performances took place at two spots: “Taishomachi 3-chome Intersection” (where the main seating is) and “Taishomachi 2-chome Intersection” to the north. They happen roughly at the same time, so if you’re at either spot, you’ll see powerful performances once or twice! ※In 2025, due to an industrial accident nearby, it seems most floats only performed once.
Can I cross to the other side of the road?
This is super important! Basically, “You can cross a little bit during the Appeal Time.” Traffic restrictions start at 17:00, and normally you have to go all the way to the end of the parade route to cross (which is far!). However, when the Appeal Time starts and the floats aren’t moving, a crossing point usually opens up in the middle. So, if there’s a specific float you absolutely want to see, I recommend waiting on that side from the start! Plan ahead!
Not Just the Festival! Must-Buy Souvenirs
Omuta’s Classic: “Kusaki Manju”
The soul food that makes locals say, “This is it!” The two big names are “Kurodaya” and “Eguchi Sakae Shoten.” Kurodaya has many varieties and is easy to find even in convenience stores. On the other hand, Eguchi Sakae Shoten sticks to one traditional type! They don’t sell online, so it has that “only buyable in Omuta” premium feel. Both are delicious, so try comparing them!
Funny Name, Serious Taste! “Dai-Hard Curry”
The name and package are hilarious, right? 😂 Reminds you of that action movie! But the taste is legit. It’s a Western-style curry made with local ingredients and tenderly stewed Aso red beef tendon. Sold at roadside stations and tourist plazas, how about this as a delicious and funny ultimate souvenir?
Loved Outside Kyushu Too! “Nankan Age”
From our neighbor, Nankan Town! This is a type of fried tofu, but it lasts a long time and is seriously versatile. Miso soup, udon, simmered dishes, Inari sushi… whatever you put it in, it becomes fluffy, juicy, and soaks up the flavor perfectly! Once you use it, you’ll be hooked. It’s a fail-proof souvenir that I always buy and my friends love receiving!
Find “Nankan Age” on Rakuten!Final Words
This year, local buses in Omuta City were just 100 yen for adults and free for children (elementary school and under) on the fourth Saturday and Sunday. Also, the route between Omuta Station West Exit and AEON Mall Omuta was free all day with extra buses running!
Were you able to learn a lot about Daijayama?
There are some Daijayama floats that don’t appear in the parade,
so I’ll introduce them in the next article!
Daijayama is the Best!!
