Festivals & Events

January Festivals & Events

January 1 onwardShimane

Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

First shrine visit to the Great God of matchmaking. During the three New Year's days, visitors come from all over the country.

See details on the official site ›

January 1 onwardHiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

New Year's visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Miyajima, greeted by the great torii gate and vermilion-painted buildings on the sea.

See details on the official site ›

January 1 onwardKagawa

Kotohiragu (Kotohira Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

The first shrine visit of the year at 'Konpira-san'. Celebrate the New Year at the top of the 785 stone steps.

See details on the official site ›

January 1 onwardOkayama

Kibitsu Jinja (Kibitsu Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

Associated with the Momotaro legend. Famous for its National Treasure main hall and long corridor.

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January 1 onwardTokushima

Oomahiko Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

The First Shrine of Awa Province, affectionately called 'Ooasahan'. One of the most popular New Year visits in Tokushima Prefecture.

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January 1 onwardEhime

Oyamazumi Jinja (Oyamazumi Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

Iyo-ku Ichinomiya (First Shrine of Iyo Province), head shrine of all Yamaji and Misama shrines in Japan.

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January 1 onwardKochi

Tosa Ichinomiya Tosa Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

The first shrine of Tosa Province, affectionately known as 'Shinan-sama.' Famous for its unique 'Iritombo' (dragonfly-shaped) shrine layout.

January 1 onwardTottori

白兎神社・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

Shrine associated with the 'White Hare of Inaba' myth. A place of prayer for matchmaking, linked to Japan's oldest love story.

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January 1 onwardYamaguchi

Hofu Tenmangu・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

The deity of learning, enshrined at what is said to be Japan's first Tenmangu shrine.

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February Festivals & Events

Around February 3Shimane

Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine)・Setsubun-sai (Bean-Throwing Rite)

A Shinto rite of Setsubun to sweep away evil and invite good fortune.

See details on the official site ›

April Festivals & Events

April 10Kagawa

Kotohiragu (Kotohira Grand Shrine)・Ou Ka Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival)

A spring festival where a procession, led by large skewers of cherry blossoms and maple leaves, advances to the main shrine.

See details on the official site ›

April 15-18Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine・Touka-sai (Peach Blossom Festival)

Bungaku (court music and dance) is performed, followed by three days of Touka-sai Noh (Peach Blossom Festival Noh) starting the next day.

See details on the official site ›

May Festivals & Events

May 14 (grand rites May 13-18)Shimane

Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine)・Reisai (Annual Grand Festival) (Izumo Taisha Dai-sairei)

The most important imperial festival at Izumo Taisha, attended by imperial envoys.

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May, 2nd SundayOkayama

Kibitsu Jinja (Kibitsu Shrine)・Spring Grand Festival

A spring grand festival featuring the Nana-Ju-Gosho-Sasagu Shinsai (Rite of Offering Seventy-Five Courses).

See details on the official site ›

June Festivals & Events

June 17Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine・Reisai (Annual Grand Festival)

The once-a-year most important festival at Itsukushima Shrine.

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June 30Shimane

Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine)・Natsu-wake no Oharai (Summer Purification Rite)

A Shinto rite to purify the sins and impurities of the past six months and pray for health and safety.

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5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar (usually around June)Ehime

Oyamazumi Jinja (Oyamazumi Shrine)・Mita-ue-sai (Rice Planting Festival) (Hitorizumo)

Famous for 'Hitorizumo' (single-person sumo), where a wrestler grapples with the spirit of rice.

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July Festivals & Events

June 17 on the old lunar calendar (usually around July)Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine・Kankyo-sai (Festival of Music)

One of Japan's three great boat festivals. An elegant Shinto rite where a ceremonial boat sails across the sea.

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August Festivals & Events

August 3-5Yamaguchi

Hofu Tenmangu・Gontanshin-sai (Mandou Matsuri / Festival of Ten Thousand Lamps)

A festival celebrating the birth of Michizane, where the grounds are enveloped in countless lights.

See details on the official site ›

August 9-10Kagawa

Tamura Shrine・Toro-sai (Lantern Festival)

The annual grand festival of the subsidiary shrine, Miyajima-sha. Beginning with rites to comfort the spirits of ancestors, this cool summer festival involves lighting lanterns to entrust prayers for the prosperity of descendants and household safety.

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August 13-15Okayama

Saijo Inariyama Myogyoji (Saijo Inariyama Myogyoji Temple)・Ullambana-e (Obon Memorial Service)

A memorial service for the salvation of ancestors, held during the Obon period to welcome the spirits of parishioners.

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8月24日〜25日Kochi

Tosa Ichinomiya Tosa Shrine・しなね祭（志那祢祭）

土佐三大祭の一つ。神輿渡御で賑わう夏の大祭。

October Festivals & Events

October 9-11Kagawa

Kotohiragu (Kotohira Grand Shrine)・Reidaisai (Annual Grand Festival)

The most important festival at Konpira Grand Shrine. A sacred procession where the mikoshi (portable shrine) crosses the stone steps.

See details on the official site ›

October 15Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine・Kikka-sai (Chrysanthemum Festival)

An autumn festival featuring chrysanthemum offerings and dedicatory performances of bugaku (court dance and music).

See details on the official site ›

November Festivals & Events

November 1Tokushima

Oomahiko Shrine・Reidaisai (Annual Grand Festival)

The most important festival at Daibiko Shrine.

See details on the official site ›

Old calendar October (usually late November to early December)Shimane

Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine)・Kannazai-sai (Festival of the Presence of the Deities)

A Shinto rite for the 'Month of the Deities' when gods from all over Japan gather. It is said that matchmaking rites are performed.

See details on the official site ›

November, 4th SaturdayYamaguchi

Hofu Tenmangu・Goshinko-sai (Hadaka-bou Matsuri / Naked Monk Festival)

One of Japan's three great Tenjin festivals. Naked monks carry the mikoshi and run up the stone steps.

See details on the official site ›

December Festivals & Events

December 31Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine・Chinka-sai (Fire-Quelling Festival)

A vigorous New Year's Eve rite where torches are used to ward off fire disasters.

See details on the official site ›

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.