The 75th Takefu Chrysanthemum Doll Exhibition

Launched in 1952, the Takefu exhibition is among the oldest continuously running kiku-ningyo shows in Japan and ranks with Nihonmatsu and Hirakata as one of the three great ones. Some 20,000 chrysanthemum plants fill Takefu Central Park, where craftsmen build life-size dolls that stage scenes from story and legend. The 75th edition in 2026 is themed around yokai, the spirits and monsters of Japanese folklore, and the whole site is dressed to match. What sets Takefu apart is that it is not a flower show alone: the OSK Nippon Revue Company performs its Takefu Revue during the run, and the grounds hold eleven large fairground attractions including a carousel and monorail, a food court, and the Kikurin market selling local goods. It draws a strong family crowd. The site is closed on October 22.