A festival in which a giant straw serpent bearing the hopes of Akamatsu winds through the village
Akamatsu Kojin Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- The first Sunday of March in a leap year / Once every leap year
- Location
- Inside the Tamagaki enclosure of the Kojin deity on the grounds of Hiyoshi Shrine
- Area
- Tottori Prefecture・Daisen Town(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 15 min–1 h 30 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This ritual, passed down in Akamatsu, Daisen Town, involves offering a giant straw serpent to the Kojin deity. The serpent winds through the village of Akamatsu, carrying hopes for the prosperity of the community and a good harvest.
About Akamatsu Kojin Festival
The Akamatsu Kojin Festival is a in which a straw serpent is offered to the Kojin deity.
The serpent, about 25 m long, is decorated with one for each household in the village, praying for prosperity in every home.
This festival has been passed down by the people of Akamatsu, and is located in Akamatsu, Daisen Town.
Source: 赤松の荒神祭｜鳥取県大山町
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the straw serpent, which measures about 25 m in length.
Gohei praying for prosperity in every household in the village are arranged above the serpent’s head, bringing together a striking giant figure and the hopes of the local community.
After the Shinto ritual, the serpent is carried through the village and finally offered to the Kojin deity.
A festival in which a giant straw serpent bearing the hopes of Akamatsu winds through the village
What to expect
On the day, a Shinto ritual is first performed in front of the great serpent.
Afterward, residents join together to carry the straw serpent through the village of Akamatsu.
After the procession, the serpent is offered inside the Tamagaki enclosure of the Kojin deity on the grounds of Hiyoshi Shrine.
How to take part
Residents take part together in carrying the serpent.
By tradition, the part representing the serpent’s phallus is carried by a man who married into the village after the previous leap year.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Inside the Tamagaki enclosure of the Kojin deity on the grounds of Hiyoshi Shrine, Akamatsu, Daisen Town
Address Akamatsu, Daisen Town
Dates and season
The festival is held on the first Sunday of March in leap years.
It was formerly held on February 2 in leap years.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Tottori Prefecture / Daisen Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
During the festival, the serpent is carried through the village, so please watch those around you and avoid obstructing the procession.
When visiting the grounds of Hiyoshi Shrine, where rituals and offerings take place, please respect local customs.
Nearby attractions
鳥取県立むきばんだ史跡公園
鳥取県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
大神山神社
鳥取県にある神社
Origins and History of Akamatsu Kojin Festival
The Akamatsu Kojin Festival is believed to date back to Jōō 3 (1654).
It is said to have begun when the people of Akamatsu Village, struck by a severe drought, received a divine oracle from their ujigami deity telling them to offer a great serpent in prayer for a good harvest and the prosperity of the village.
The tradition continues today, with a straw serpent made and offered to the Kojin deity.
Official information
Daisen Town lists the Akamatsu Kojin Festival as a prefecturally designated cultural property.
It is designated as an intangible folk cultural property. For inquiries, contact the Cultural Properties Office of the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division at Daisen Town Hall.
Akamatsu Kojin Festival at a Glance
The Akamatsu Kojin Festival involves making a straw serpent about 25 m long, carrying it through the village after a Shinto ritual, and offering it to the Kojin deity.
It is said to have begun amid the severe drought of 1654, with prayers for a good harvest and the prosperity of the village.
The date of the 2026 festival is currently being confirmed, but it is traditionally held on the first Sunday of March in a leap year.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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