Aso no Otaue

Festival highlights

The highlight is the sacred procession, with around 200 participants accompanying four mikoshi.

Led by Sarutahiko, the procession continues with Unari in white robes, shishi lions, saotome maidens, and rice-planting figures. Ota-uta songs are sung along the way.

At the 2 temporary shrines, priests and attendees perform a rice-planting ceremony by tossing rice seedlings onto the roofs of the mikoshi.

The performance of singing rice-field songs during the Shinkō-shiki and featuring a human-figure umbrella float is a rare art with a distinctive local character.

Aso's prayers for a bountiful harvest, with mikoshi and Ota-uta songs winding through the green rice fields

What to expect

On the day, the mikoshi sets out with a Sarutahiko mask at the head and makes its way through the green rice fields around the shrine.

The procession travels to Ichino Angu and Nino Angu, where a festival rite and rice-planting ceremony are held at each.

In the evening, it returns to the main shrine, followed by a rice-planting ceremony and other events.

According to the 2026 notice, a Jōju Festival and a performance of Namino Nakae Iwato Kagura are also planned after the Shinkō-shiki.

Source: 阿蘇神社「御田祭」將於7月28日舉行 | 道の駅 阿蘇

Location and access

Venue and address

Aso Shrine and the surrounding area.

Event venue 熊本県 阿蘇神社及び周辺地域

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)

The 2026 Otaue Shinkō-shiki is listed as taking place on July 28 (Tuesday).

The Shinkō-shiki begins with the mikoshi's departure at 11:30 a.m., followed by rice-planting ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., its return at 5 p.m., and the Jōju Festival at 6 p.m.

The notice says the event will go ahead even in rainy weather, but timings or content may change, or the event may be canceled, depending on the weather and other conditions.

Tips for your visit

The procession travels around Aso Shrine and the surrounding area, so you’ll need to choose a viewing spot based on its progress.

According to the 2026 information, the event is scheduled to go ahead even in rainy weather, but its program may be changed or canceled depending on weather conditions.

Many local residents and tourists are expected to visit the area around Aso Shrine on the day. If you plan to travel by car, it’s a good idea to check parking availability in advance.

Origins and History of Aso no Otaue

Aso no Otaue is part of the agricultural rituals observed throughout the year, centered on Aso Shrine and Kunitsu Shrine.

The Otaue Shinkō-shiki at Aso Shrine is passed down as an event in which the deities travel by mikoshi through the green rice fields during the rice-growing season to pray for a bountiful harvest that year.

Aso's agricultural rituals were designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1982.

According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs database, Aso no Otaue was selected in 1970 as an intangible folk cultural property for which measures such as record creation should be undertaken.

Official information

Aso Shrine's official website lists July 28 as the date of the 2026 Ota Festival.

For the latest information on events within Aso Shrine and parking, check the shrine's official notices.

Aso no Otaue at a Glance

Aso no Otaue is a traditional agricultural ritual in which a mikoshi departs from Aso Shrine and travels through the green rice fields as prayers are offered for a bountiful harvest.

Highlights include the sacred procession, featuring Sarutahiko, Unari, shishi lions, saotome maidens, and dengaku performers, and the rice-planting ceremony at the temporary shrine.

In 2026, it is scheduled for July 28, and the notice says it is planned to go ahead even in rainy weather.