Festivals & Events
January Festivals & Events
Atsuta Jingu (Atsuta Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
An ancient shrine enshrining the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, one of the Three Sacred Treasures. Over 2 million visitors during the New Year holidays.
Zenkoji・Hatsumode (Shuuse-kai)
Welcoming the New Year at the National Treasure main hall. Includes the New Year's Day morning worship and the Shuuse-kai rite.
Kimiya Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
Hatsumode in the forest of Atami, famous for a giant camphor tree over 2,000 years old.
Osue Kannon (Kitano-yama Shinpukuji Hosoin)・Hatsumode (New Year First Goma Fire Rite)
Located in the center of Osu, a temple town in Nagoya. Bustling with New Year's Eve bells and first shrine visits.
Mishima Taisha (Mishima Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The first shrine visit to the chief shrine of Izu Province, associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo.
Suwa Taisha Kamisha Hongu (Suwa Grand Shrine Upper Shrine Main Sanctuary)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The head shrine of all Suwa shrines nationwide. Deity of martial valor and life.
Yahiko Jinja (Yahiko Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
Echigo Ichinomiya, affectionately known as 'Oyahiko-sama'. The most popular New Year's visit in the prefecture.
Fuji-san Hongu Sengen Taisha (Fuji Mountain Head Sengen Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The head shrine of all Asama shrines nationwide. Mount Fuji is the sacred object.
Kunozan Toshogu・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
A National Treasure shrine where Tokugawa Ieyasu was first enshrined.
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The starting point of the Yoshida trail to Mount Fuji. A shrine dedicated to Fuji worship.
Suwa Taisha, Lower Shrine, Akimiya・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
One of the four shrines of Suwa Grand Shrine. Famous for its large sacred rope and pillars.
Togakushi Shrine Nakasha・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The Togakushi Go-sha (Five Shrines) of the sacred Togakushi Mountain. Famous for its approach path lined with cedar trees.
Minobu-zan Kuon-ji・Hatsumode (First Temple Visit of the Year)
The head temple of the Nichiren sect, famous for its 287-step Bodhi Staircase and grand complex.
Shinkara Fuji Asama Jinja (Shinkara Fuji Asama Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
A shrine world-famous for its stunning views of Mount Fuji and a five-story pagoda.
Chiyo-ho Inari Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
"Ochobosan." A Inari shrine for business prosperity and a bustling town in front of the shrine.
Kehi Jingu (Kehi Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The Ichinomiya (First Shrine) of Echizen Province, 'Keisan.' Famous for one of Japan's three great wooden torii gates.
February Festivals & Events
Yahiko Jinja (Yahiko Shrine)・Reisai (annual grand festival)
The most important festival at Yahiko Grand Shrine.
March Festivals & Events
April Festivals & Events
Suwa Taisha Kamisha Hongu (Suwa Grand Shrine Upper Shrine Main Sanctuary)・Gatou-sai (Head-Festival)
An ancient-style special rite performed at the Upper Shrine.
Kunozan Toshogu・Reisai (Annual Grand Festival)
The most important festival of the year, held on the anniversary of Tokugawa Ieyasu's death.
May Festivals & Events
June Festivals & Events
Atsuta Jingu (Atsuta Grand Shrine)・Atsuta Matsuri (Annual Grand Festival)
The most important and grand annual festival at Atsuta Jingu, featuring the Ken-to-makiwara and fireworks.
Minobu-zan Kuon-ji・Kaisho-e (Founding Anniversary Ceremony)
Buddhist rites commemorating the founding of Kuon-ji Temple.
Kehi Jingu (Kehi Grand Shrine)・Ota-ue-sai (Rice Planting Festival)
A special Shinto rite for praying for a bountiful harvest with over 1,000 years of tradition.
July Festivals & Events
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine・Kai-san-sai (Mountain Opening Festival)
Praying for safe mountain climbing in conjunction with the opening of Mount Fuji.
August Festivals & Events
Suwa Taisha, Lower Shrine, Akimiya・Ofune Matsuri (Shinza-sai) (Boat Festival / Deity Transfer Festival)
A vigorous festival involving the dragging of a massive brushwood boat for the transfer of the deity.
Zenkoji・Obon Engi (Obon Market)
A lively Obon market featuring the Great Obon Dance Festival and other events.
September Festivals & Events
October Festivals & Events
November Festivals & Events
We're gradually expanding coverage starting with major shrines and temples. Dates may vary slightly from year to year, so please check official information before visiting.