Castle Festival is a major festival for the whole city, enlivened with noh drama by firelight at Sannomaru Ground, *Himeji Castle, parades including Taiko, Jeep parade, motercycle parade and Japanese dancing (Yosakoi dance - in which teams of dancers compet - and more) on Otemae Street. Thirty-six groups participated in the parade and many gather to watch. It lasted from 3:00 to 6:30, and afterwards is the bon dance party for which many wear kimono (yukata).

* Himeji castle has appeared in James Bond's "You Only Live Twice", and in the TV mini series: Shogun.

Come along and enjoy the Otemae Street Parade