Kikuchi City’s largest festival, the Kikuchi Souhakuryu Festival, takes place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, along the shopping street and at Kikuchi City Furusato Creation Civic Plaza in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Four dragons—the two called the male dragon and the female dragon, plus two young dragons carried by children—perform a bold and vigorous routine together with their carriers.

In Kikuchi City, legends say the ancestor of the Kikuchi clan rested beside Kikunoike and a white dragon appeared, marking the beginning of Kikuchi. Another tale tells that when Kikuchi Onsen was discovered, a white dragon spoke in a dream. The city therefore has sightseeing spots linked to dragons.

The Souhakuryu Festival began in 1994 based on those legends to revitalize the local community.

The white dragon measures 50 meters in length and weighs a total of 500 kilograms.
To the shouts of “Seiya! Seiya!” it parades through the shopping street.

Men carry the white dragon, making its large body writhe as it charges forward with powerful, heroic movement.
The dramatic dragon dance is a must-see.

At the end, about 3,000 fireworks burst into the night sky right before your eyes.

Enjoy the full-on atmosphere of the Souhakuryu Festival with the carriers’ rousing shouts, the dragon’s winding motion, and the close-up fireworks.

Kikuchi Souhakuryu Festival official website
https://kikuchi-hakuryu.com//