Festivals & Events

January Festivals & Events

January 1 onwardHokkaido

Hokkaido Jingu (Hokkaido Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (Fuku-mairi / New Year's Blessing Visit)

New Year's visit to the chief guardian shrine of Hokkaido. Pray for good fortune in the new year through the 'Fuku-mairi' rite.

See details on the official site ›

January 1 onwardIwate

Chuson-ji Main Hall・Hatsumode (First shrine visit of the year)

Welcoming the new year at an ancient temple famous for the Konjiki-do, a World Heritage site.

See details on the official site ›

January 1 onwardMiyagi

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

The 'Shiogama-sama,' the number one shrine of the Mutsu Province, enshrining deities of maritime safety and safe childbirth.

See details on the official site ›

January 1 onwardAomori

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

O-Iwaki-sama, the shrine that enshrines Iwaki Mountain, known as the Fuji of Tsugaru, as its sacred object.

See details on the official site ›

January 1 onwardAkita

Taiheizan San'kichi Jinja Souhonmiya (Head Shrine of Taiheizan San'kichi Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

Miyoshi-sama, the deity of victory and strength. The head shrine of all Miyoshi shrines nationwide.

January 1 onwardYamagata

Dewa Sanzan Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

Faith in the three mountains of Haguro, Gassan, and Yudono. A sacred site of Shugendo.

January 1 onwardFukushima

Izasumi Shrine, Ichinomiya of Iwashiro Province and Head Guardian Shrine of Aizu・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

The Grand Shrine of Aizu and the First Shrine of Iwase Province. The chief guardian shrine of the Aizu region.

See details on the official site ›

January 17Akita

Taiheizan San'kichi Jinja Souhonmiya (Head Shrine of Taiheizan San'kichi Shrine)・Miyoshi Benten-sai (Miyoshi Benten Festival)

A vigorous winter festival where young men carrying Benten statues compete to be the first to arrive.

March Festivals & Events

March 10Miyagi

Shiogama Shrine・Hote-sai (Fire-Prevention Festival)

A fire-prevention festival where a mikoshi weighing about one ton descends steep stone steps.

See details on the official site ›

May Festivals & Events

May 1-5Iwate

Chuson-ji Main Hall・Haru no Fujiwara Matsuri (Spring Fujiwara Festival)

A spring festival commemorating the Fujiwara clan of Oshu. Features a splendid procession.

See details on the official site ›

June Festivals & Events

June 13-30Fukushima

Izasumi Shrine, Ichinomiya of Iwashiro Province and Head Guardian Shrine of Aizu・Ayame Matsuri (Iris Festival)

A famous flower spot where over 200 varieties of iris and Japanese iris reach their peak bloom.

See details on the official site ›

June 14-16Hokkaido

Hokkaido Jingu (Hokkaido Grand Shrine)・Reisai (Sapporo Matsuri / Sapporo Festival)

The most important festival, popularly known as the 'Sapporo Festival.' Features mikoshi (portable shrine) processions and yama (floats).

See details on the official site ›

July Festivals & Events

July 11-13Fukushima

Izasumi Shrine, Ichinomiya of Iwashiro Province and Head Guardian Shrine of Aizu・Otaue-sai (Rice Planting Festival)

One of Japan's three great rice planting festivals, alongside Ise and Atsuta.

See details on the official site ›

7月15日Yamagata

Dewa Sanzan Shrine・花まつり

月山の開山を祝う、造花の神輿が出る豊作祈願の祭。

July (Marine Day)Miyagi

Shiogama Shrine・Shioji Minato-sai (Port Festival)

One of Japan's three great ship festivals, featuring ceremonial boats circling Matsushima Bay.

See details on the official site ›

August Festivals & Events

August 6, 18:00 to August 7Yamagata

Hosozan Taisan-ji・Yakou Nembutsu-ko (Night Nembutsu Recitation)

After reciting nembutsu at the Honmon-chudo, devotees chant through the night while visiting the various halls on the way to the Okuno-in. Lanterns beside the stone steps are also lit.

See details on the official site ›

August 12Miyagi

Zuiyen-ji・Urabon-e Soukyou (General Memorial Service)

A general memorial service held during Obon to pray for the peace of the souls of the deceased and ancestors.

See details on the official site ›

August 14Iwate

Chuson-ji Main Hall・Kakinoh (Fire Noh)

A summer event where Noh theater is performed as a dedicatory offering under bonfires.

See details on the official site ›

August 14-15 (Grand festival day is August 15)Hokkaido

Hakodate Hachiman Jingu (Hakodate Hachiman Grand Shrine)・Reisai (Annual Grand Festival)

The annual grand festival of the chief guardian shrine of Hakodate. Food stalls line the grounds, and every other year, a Shinto rite involves carrying a mikoshi (portable shrine) weighing about 1.5 tons up a stone staircase of over 130 steps.

See details on the official site ›

August 16Iwate

Chuson-ji Main Hall・Omoji Sounbi (Giant Character Fire Rite)

On the night of the final day of Obon, the character 'dai' (large) is lit in the correct stroke order along the ridge of Mount Tsubaki to send off the spirits of ancestors.

See details on the official site ›

August 16Miyagi

Zuiyen-ji・Daijigiki-e (Grand Hungry Ghosts Festival)

A watchtower and platform are set up on the beach in front of the temple, where wooden tablets inscribed with sutras are burned as an offering. The service is conducted by approximately 50 monks.

See details on the official site ›

August 20, 18:00 onwardYamagata

Hosozan Taisan-ji・Urabon-e Jikaki Hokuyo (Obon Festival Rite for Hungry Ghosts)

A Buddhist rite held during Obon to offer food and drink to hungry ghosts and pray for the peace of ancestors' souls.

See details on the official site ›

September Festivals & Events

August 1 of the old lunar calendar (usually September)Aomori

Iwakiyama Shrine・O-yama Sankei (Pilgrimage to the Mountain)

A pilgrimage to Iwaki Mountain in white ceremonial robes, designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Tsugaru.

See details on the official site ›

November Festivals & Events

November 1-3Iwate

Chuson-ji Main Hall・Aki no Fujiwara Matsuri (Autumn Fujiwara Festival)

An autumn festival that adorns the autumnal scenery of Hiraizumi.

See details on the official site ›

December Festivals & Events

12月31日Yamagata

Dewa Sanzan Shrine・松例祭

大晦日の夜の火の祭。大松明を引く重要無形民俗文化財。

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.