Chiba Nanohana News (October 15, 2026)

Index

I.News II.Festivals and Events

I.News

1)Participants wanted for the Global Understanding Seminar　2026

Mr. Rose Touma

Chiba Prefecture will hold a Global Understanding Seminar for residents to deepen their understanding around the building of multicultural societies. This seminar will consist of two parts: a lecture by entertainer, Mr. Rose Touma, and a performance by KUIS T'rung Ensemble（Kanda University of International Studies）.

This will be an opportunity to enjoy thinking about understanding and accepting our differences while experiencing various cultures. If you are interested, please participate!

Date: Sunday, December 6^th, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Main Hall, Chiba Prefecture Education Center Main Building
(4-13-10 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Chiba City）
Details:
(1)Lecture Title: “Flowers that Bloom on the Same Earth – My Colour, Your Colour, and the Colour of the Future”
Lecturer: Mr. Rose Touma（Entertainer）
(2)Performance by Ms. Kumiko Oguri with KUIS T'rung Ensemble
Capacity: 500 people *In the case of high demand, participants will be chosen via lottery（Priority will be given to residents of Chiba Prefecture, and those who study or work in the prefecture）
Admission: Free
How to Register: Please register via the form (Chiba International Center website)
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 20^th, 2026
Enquiries: Chiba Prefecture International Affairs Division TEL: 043-223-2436

II.Festivals and Events

1)Narita String Instrument Festival (Narita City)

Narita String Instrument Festival

Now in its 32^nd year, the Narita String Instrument Festival is an event that reciprocates the divine blessings of the deity Fudo Myo-o. The event is hosted to express gratitude for the spiritual connection with the deity, while again praying for their continued blessings. Held in October, often considered the Autumnal month of art, this festival serves as a musical offering to the deity.

The highlight of the festival will be the Tsugaru Shamisen Concert on Saturday October 17^th, when a total of 200 shamisen players will take part in a performance at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.

Additionally, special stages will be established along Naritasan Omotesando for ‘The Sound of Strings’. Here you can enjoy live shamisen performances on Saturday the 17^th and performances from a variety of string instruments on Sunday the 18^th.

A number of annual events will also be held, such as “Monzen Narita Rakugo Theatre” and “Odori-Tsugareru Narita no Odori Parade”, which is a traditional dance from Narita that has been passed down through generations.

Please enjoy a day being wrapped up in the refreshing atmosphere of Narita as it slowly transitions into autumnal colours, listening to the timbre of string music, savouring the flavours of autumn, and receiving divine blessings at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.

Date: Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th October 2026
Location: Naritasan Shinshoji temple grounds / 1 Narita, Narita City
　 Naritasan Omotesando / Kamicho and Nakamachi, Narita City
Access:（train）Naritasan Shinshoji Temple - around 15 minutes on foot from Narita Station (JR Narita line) and Keisei Narita Station (Keisei Main Line)
  Omotesando - right off of Narita Station (JR Narita line) and Keisei Narita Station (Keisei Main Line)
  Nishisando - around 10 minutes on foot from Narita Station (JR Narita line) and Keisei Narita Station (Keisei Main Line)
  *Traffic restrictions will be in place. Only a limited number of paid parking spaces will be available so please use public transport wherever possible.
Enquiries:Narita String Instrument Festival Executive Committee TEL: 0476-22-2101
Narita City Tourism Association website

2)Iwanuma Lion Dance (Chosei Village)

Iwanuma Lion Dance

Iwanuma Lion Dance 1

The Iwanuma Lion Dance is a Chiba prefectural intangible folk cultural property with over 400 years of history in Chosei Village.

Every year the Lion Dance coincides with Mimusubi Shrine’s festival in October and as such is dedicated to praying for the safety of shrine parishioners, good harvest, and the eradication of disease.

As part of the festival there are many different performances.

First are the dances that are performed with musical accompaniment, which include the wate dance, shitate yotsu-ashi dance, and the kame dance, where the dancer portrays a turtle which has come ashore. When the two-person lion dancers perform somersaults and other acrobatic feats, they always receive a thunderous round of applause from the audience.

Also, children perform the Kokusenya Kassen, which is unique compared to other lion dances found throughout Chiba Prefecture as it combines a play inspired by Kabuki theatre and the lion dance.

The last performance is the Rangyoku Dance, a spectacular performance where two lions climb 8m in the air up a massive ladder. The performers mesmerize their audience with acrobatic stunts which they perform while constantly moving and dancing around each other.

There will also be many stalls set up on the day, so you can enjoy the festival with your family.

Date: Saturday October 17^th 2026 Lion dance from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (scheduled)
Location: Mimusubi Shrine, 1 Iwanuma, Chosei Village, Chosei District *in the event of rain, the event will be moved to Chosei Village Cultural Hall
Access: (car) around 20 minutes from the Kitahara IC (Ken-O Expressway)
Enquiries: Chosei Village Lifelong Learning Division 0475-32-5100