Festivals & Events

January Festivals & Events

January 1 onwardFukuoka

Dazaifu Tenmangu (Dazaifu Tenman Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

First shrine visit to the deity of learning, drawing the largest crowds in Kyushu, especially among exam candidates.

See details on the official site ›

January 1 onwardOkinawa

Naminoue-gu・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

New Year's visit to Nanmin-san, the Chief Guardian Shrine of Okinawa. The highest attendance in the prefecture.

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January 1 onwardKagoshima

Kirishima Jingu (Kirishima Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

Hatsumode at the oldest shrine in southern Kyushu, located on the site of the descent of the heavenly grandchild.

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January 1 onwardSaga

Yutoku Inari Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

One of the three great Inari shrines in Japan. A top-tier first shrine visit in Kyushu.

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January 1 onwardOita

Usa Jingu (Usa Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

The head shrine of the approximately 40,000 Hachiman shrines across Japan.

January 1 onwardFukuoka

Munakata Taisha Hazatsumiya (Munakata Grand Shrine, Hazatsumiya)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)

A World Heritage site and the head shrine for maritime safety, enshrining the Three Munakata Goddesses.

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January 1 onwardFukuoka

Hakozaki-gu (Chikuzen-koku Ichinomiya)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

One of Japan's three major Hachiman shrines. A deity of warding off misfortune and bringing victory.

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January 1 onwardMiyazaki

Takachiho Shrine・Hatsumode (First shrine visit of the year)

The head shrine of the 88 shrines in Takachiho, the land of myths. A shrine famous for matchmaking.

January 1 onwardFukuoka

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

Japan's largest shimenawa (sacred rope). A deity of business prosperity and good fortune.

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January 1 onwardMiyazaki

Amanoiwato Shrine, Nishi Hongu (West Head Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

A shrine dedicated to the Ama-no-Iwato myth. Famous for stacking stones at Ten'an Gahara to express wishes.

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January 1 onwardNagasaki

諏訪神社・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

'O-Suwa-san', the chief clan deity of Nagasaki. Famous for its 73-step long slope.

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January 1 onwardKumamoto

Aso Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

The Ichinomiya (chief shrine) of Higo Province and the head shrine of all Asu shrines nationwide.

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January 3Fukuoka

Hakozaki-gu (Chikuzen-koku Ichinomiya)・Tamaseseri (Tama-tori Matsuri / Jewel-Grabbing Festival)

A vigorous Shinto rite where competitors in traditional attire vie for the Sun Jewel.

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January 7Fukuoka

Dazaifu Tenmangu (Dazaifu Tenman Grand Shrine)・Usotsugae and Onisube Shinto Rites

New Year rites to replace the usotsugae bird and drive away demons; Onisube is one of Japan's three great fire festivals.

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February Festivals & Events

Around February 3Fukuoka

Kashida Shrine・Setsubun Daisai (Grand Setsubun Festival)

Hakata's Setsubun tradition, where visitors pass through Japan's largest Otafuku mask to pray for good fortune.

February 25Fukuoka

Dazaifu Tenmangu (Dazaifu Tenman Grand Shrine)・Baika-sai (Plum Blossom Festival)

A festival offering plum blossoms on the memorial day of the enshrined deity, Michizane Sugawara.

See details on the official site ›

Late February and late OctoberFukuoka

Miyatake Jinja (Miyatake Shrine)・Path of Light

The setting sun aligns with the approach, bathing it in golden light.

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March Festivals & Events

First Sunday of MarchFukuoka

Dazaifu Tenmangu (Dazaifu Tenman Grand Shrine)・Kyokusui no Utage (Curved Stream Banquet)

A banquet recreating the elegance of the Heian period, where participants in Heian court attire compose waka poetry.

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MarchKumamoto

Aso Shrine・Hi-furi Shingoji (Fire-waving rite)

A mystical Shinto rite where torches are waved overhead to welcome the deity.

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April Festivals & Events

April 16Miyazaki

Takachiho Shrine・Reisai (Annual grand festival)

The once-a-year annual grand festival of Takachiho Shrine.

April (old calendar festival date)Saga

Yutoku Inari Shrine・Spring Grand Festival

A spring grand festival praying for a bountiful harvest and business prosperity.

See details on the official site ›

May Festivals & Events

May 3Miyazaki

Amanoiwato Shrine, Nishi Hongu (West Head Shrine)・Goshinko-sai (Spring Grand Festival)

A spring grand festival featuring a mikoshi procession.

See details on the official site ›

May 17Okinawa

Naminoue-gu・Reidaisai (Nanmin Festival)

The most important festival at Naminoue Shrine, featuring lively mikoshi processions and Ryukyuan performing arts.

See details on the official site ›

Late May to early JuneFukuoka

Miyatake Jinja (Miyatake Shrine)・Iris Festival

A flower festival in early summer featuring approximately 100,000 Edo iris plants.

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July Festivals & Events

July 1-15Fukuoka

Kashida Shrine・Hakata Gion Yamakasa

A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The 'Oi-yama' (chasing mountain) sees portable shrines race through Hakata.

July 28Kumamoto

Aso Shrine・Ota-ue Shinkosai (Rice Planting Festival)

An agricultural festival praying for a good rice harvest, known for the Unari procession and seedling throwing.

See details on the official site ›

7月末〜8月初めOita

Usa Jingu (Usa Grand Shrine)・夏越大祭（御神幸祭）

御神輿が頓宮へ渡御する夏の大祭。

August Festivals & Events

Night of August 6Kumamoto

Aso Shrine・Neguri-nagashi Shingoji (Sleep-dispelling rite)

A rite to conclude the rice songs. Approximately 100 parishioners sing rice songs while parading through the streets at night. It is said to dispel drowsiness on a midsummer night.

See details on the official site ›

September Festivals & Events

September 12-18Fukuoka

Hakozaki-gu (Chikuzen-koku Ichinomiya)・Hojose (Festival of Releasing Life)

One of Hakata's three major festivals. A grand autumn festival with hundreds of food stalls lining the approach.

See details on the official site ›

September 19Kagoshima

Kirishima Jingu (Kirishima Grand Shrine)・Reisai (annual grand festival)

The most important annual festival held once a year at Kirishima Jingu.

See details on the official site ›

September (2 days before Autumn Equinox to September 25)Fukuoka

Dazaifu Tenmangu (Dazaifu Tenman Grand Shrine)・Shinkosai Grand Festival

An autumn grand festival to comfort the divine spirit of Dozen Koutou.

See details on the official site ›

October Festivals & Events

October 1-3Fukuoka

Munakata Taisha Hazatsumiya (Munakata Grand Shrine, Hazatsumiya)・Miaare-sai (Autumn Grand Festival)

A spectacular maritime procession where hundreds of large vessels welcome the ceremonial boat.

See details on the official site ›

October 7-9Nagasaki

諏訪神社・Nagasaki Kunchi

One of Japan's three great Kunchi festivals. Features dragon dances and Kokkodesho dedication dances.

See details on the official site ›

October 23-24Fukuoka

Kashida Shrine・Hakata Okunchi

Kushida Shrine's autumn grand festival, giving thanks for the autumn harvest in Hakata.

November Festivals & Events

11月Kagoshima

Kirishima Jingu (Kirishima Grand Shrine)・天孫降臨御神火祭

天孫降臨神話を再現する勇壮な火の祭典。

See details on the official site ›

December Festivals & Events

December 8Saga

Yutoku Inari Shrine・Fire-Burning Festival

A Shinto rite of burning fire to express gratitude for the past year.

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.