The Shanshan Festival is Tottori city’s biggest annual celebration, a vast summer street festival held in mid-August that fills the central streets with thousands of dancers. Its signature is the umbrella dance: performers twirl large, brightly decorated umbrellas hung with little bells, whose massed jingling gives the festival its onomatopoeic name, ‘shanshan’. The name also nods to the region’s hot springs, said to make you feel refreshed. By day and into the evening, waves of dancers in matching costumes fill the streets in one of Japan’s largest umbrella dances, and the festivities are rounded out with food stalls and, in the wider season, fireworks. It is Tottori at its most joyful and communal.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Tottori City, Tottori |
| Hours | Mid-August; main dance one day |
| Admission | Free to watch |
| Time needed | An evening |
| Best time | Mid-August festival dates |
What to Experience
- Thousands of dancers in Japan’s largest umbrella dance.
- Bell-hung umbrellas whose jingle names the festival.
- Matching costumes filling the central streets.
- Food stalls and, in season, summer fireworks.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Tottori Sand Dunes by day.
- Pair with Tottori wagyu for a festival dinner.
- Read our Tottori overview .
Getting There
- By train: JR to Tottori Station, a short walk from the festival streets.
- On foot: the central streets are closed to traffic for the dance.
Tips
Check the exact festival dates in mid-August before planning around it, and book accommodation in Tottori city well ahead, as rooms fill fast for the big night. Arrive early for a good spot along the dance route, expect heat and crowds so carry water, and combine the daytime with the sand dunes for a full Tottori day before the evening celebration.
