An autumn festival in Kera that preserves the procession carrying the deity and traces of ancient beliefs
Asamine Shrine Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- October 20
- Location
- Asamine Shrine
- Area
- Kochi Prefecture・Kochi City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/11/13
This autumn grand festival at Asamine Shrine in Kera, Kochi City, preserves traditions of the procession carrying the deity and ancient beliefs. The sake jar carried by Hakucho bearers, the boys' stick-fighting rite, and customs involving the Yukiko and Itadaki-joro are among the festival's defining features.
About Asamine Shrine Festival
The Asamine Shrine Festival is an autumn grand festival held at Asamine Shrine in Kera, Kochi City.
Asamine Shrine is the tutelary shrine of the Kera, Iwaya, and Hakusui settlements, and is considered one of the shrines listed in the Engishiki.
The procession includes a sake jar decorated with , carried by two Hakucho bearers as they chant “Onbikizo.”
The festival also preserves old forms of belief associated with the Yukiko and Itadaki-joro, and is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Kochi City.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the procession carrying the deity, in which two Hakucho bearers carry a sake jar decorated with shimenawa as they proceed, chanting “Onbikizo.”
The boys' stick-fighting rite can also be seen during the procession carrying the deity.
The Yukiko, an infant or young child held by their mother, and the Itadaki-joro, who looks after them, are also important figures.
At the , the Itadaki-joro applies heavy makeup and washes it off as soon as they return to the shrine. This act reflects an ancient belief in makeup as a means of spirit possession.
An autumn festival in Kera that preserves the procession carrying the deity and traces of ancient beliefs
What to expect
During the festival, a procession carrying the deity includes Hakucho bearers carrying a sake jar, and boys also perform a stick-fighting rite.
The Yukiko is an infant or young child held by their mother, and the Itadaki-joro looks after them.
When the procession reaches the otabisho, the Itadaki-joro applies heavy makeup, which is washed off after returning to the shrine.
At the otabisho, the Yukiko are said to be served taro, edamame, and a soup meal tray; this traditional meal is also part of the festival.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Asamine Shrine (Kera, Kochi City)
Address Kera, Kochi City
Dates and season
- Season
October 20
Accommodation and hotels PR
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Nearby attractions
五台山
高知市の山
土佐神社
高知県高知市一宮(いっく)しなねにある神社
小津神社
高知県高知市にある神社
山内神社
高知県高知市にある神社
朝倉神社 (高知市)
高知市にある神社
桂浜水族館
高知県高知市にある水族館
潮江天満宮
高知県高知市天神町にある神社
藁工ミュージアム
高知県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
高知大神宮
高知市にある神社
高知市寺田寅彦記念館
日本の高知県高知市にある建築物
Origins and History of Asamine Shrine Festival
The Asamine Shrine Festival is described as retaining traces of a procession tradition from before developed: the divine spirit was transferred to a Yukiko, who rode a sacred horse in the procession.
The roles of the Yukiko and Itadaki-joro, as well as the Itadaki-joro's makeup, preserve traces of ancient beliefs.
Since 1912 (Taisho 1), the otabisho has been Oji Shrine in Nagasaki.
In even earlier times, the procession carrying the deity set out from a designated household known as a toya, and strict ritual procedures were observed.
Official information
Kochi City website, “Cultural Properties: Intangible Folk Cultural Property — Asamine Shrine Festival”
Asamine Shrine Festival at a Glance
The Asamine Shrine Festival is an autumn grand festival held at Asamine Shrine in Kera, Kochi City. It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Kochi City.
The festival is distinguished by the procession carrying the deity, with a sake jar decorated with shimenawa borne by Hakucho bearers, the boys' stick-fighting rite, and the roles of the Yukiko and Itadaki-joro.
At the otabisho, traditions include the Itadaki-joro applying makeup and serving taro, edamame, and a soup meal tray to the Yukiko.
The festival preserves traces of the procession tradition from before mikoshi developed, as well as memories of old rituals that began at a toya.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/13
