Dogeza Matsuri

Festival highlights

The highlight is the Shinko Weapon Procession, which proceeds with a total of 64 participants.

A large spear called a shaguma, naginata, guns, bows, spears, large banners, horse standards, and other items form the procession, which advances to the calls of “Down, down” and with blue bamboo carried at the front to clear the way.

The procession travels to and from the otabisho in Miyajicho. It is also notable for its formation: the vanguard, mikoshi, and a hayashi troupe bring up the rear.

The sight of local ujiko crouching low to receive the procession is another unique feature of this festival.

Source: 高梁川流域連盟 御神幸武器行列（通称：土下座まつり）※船川八幡宮秋季大祭｜Takahashi River Basin League

A weapon procession preserving Genroku-era customs and the Yutate ritual

What to expect

The festival comprises the Yutate ritual on the day before the autumn grand festival and the main festival the following day.

For the Yutate ritual, 12 cauldrons are heated. A shinto priest chants a sacred song while sprinkling hot water, then purifies the area with湯笹.

Afterward, a shrine maiden performs the Urayasu Dance as hono at the evening festival ceremony.

On the day of the main festival, the weapon procession travels between Funakawa Hachiman Shrine and the otabisho following the main shrine ceremony.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the procession from along its route.

When the procession approaches, the etiquette is to sit or crouch low and not move from your place while it passes.

Women and children may also receive the procession from a sitting room inside a house.

Location and access

Venue and address

The main venue is Funakawa Hachiman Shrine (1781 Niimi, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture).

The Shinko Weapon Procession travels about 1.5 km each way between Funakawa Hachiman Shrine and the otabisho. Related events are also held around the Gotemmachi Center and elsewhere.

Train and bus

A free shuttle bus departing from Niimi Station runs every 30 minutes from 10:30 a.m., with its final service at 4 p.m.

The shuttle travels between Niimi Station, Edojo Bridge, Shisei Elementary School, Niimi High School, Niimi City Hall, Kanaya-kami, and Niimi Museum of Art.

Address 1781 Niimi, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture (Funakawa Hachiman Shrine)

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Dates and season

Yutate ritual

2026/10/14

Main Shrine Festival ceremony

2026/10/15

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

The 2026 event was listed as scheduled to run from October 14 through the 15th.

October 14, the evening festival and Yutate ritual are held at Funakawa Hachiman Shrine from 7 p.m.

On October 15, the main shrine ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by the Shinko Weapon Procession at 1:30 p.m.

The procession sets off from in front of the torii gate at Funagawa Hachiman Shrine and travels to the otabisho and back.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

When watching the procession from along the route, follow the custom of welcoming it while seated or keeping low, without standing up or changing places as it passes.

Please watch from a place that does not obstruct the procession’s route or other spectators.

It is stated that some events in 2026 may be canceled depending on the weather.

For the tasting of doburoku, take care not to drink and drive, and ensure that minors do not drink alcohol.

Nearby attractions

On the day of the festival, you can enjoy related events around Gotenmachi, the setting for the procession.

Gotenmachi Center sells local products and boxed meals, and also hosts festival stalls, workshops, and a free rest area.

A free rest area is available at Oike Residence, while Sasaki Bunseido in Shinmachi offers coffee and tea and provides viewing seats.

These are events held nearby on the same day as the festival, so you can stop by alongside watching the procession.

Origins and History of Dogeza Matsuri

The origins of the Shinko Weapon Procession are unclear, but it is said to have begun when Sekinaga Haruharu, who became the first lord of the Niimi domain in Genroku 10 (1697), assigned people to guard the grand festival at Funakawa Hachiman Shrine.

Since then, it has continued as a procession that preserves customs from the Edo and Genroku periods.

The Yutate ritual is said to have begun in 1715, in the mid-Edo period, when the lord of the Seki domain donated 12 cauldrons for the ritual.

Official information

Official information is available on the “Dogeza Matsuri (Shinko Weapon Procession)” page of the Niimi Official Tourism Website.

For 2026, the listed contacts are the Niimi City Tourism Division, Niimi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Niimi City Tourism Association.

As events may be canceled due to weather, you can contact the listed contacts to check conditions on the day.

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Dogeza Matsuri at a Glance

Dogeza Matsuri is an autumn grand festival at Funakawa Hachiman Shrine in Niimi City, where visitors can see a weapon procession and Yutate ritual passed down from the Genroku era.

The 2026 program was listed as including the Yutate ritual on October 14, followed by the main shrine ceremony and Shinko Weapon Procession on the 15th.

The procession, lined with large spears, naginata, and other items, travels to and from the otabisho, while the traditional etiquette of crouching low to receive it is observed along the route.