An autumn offering ceremony brought to life by a procession, shishimai lion dancing, and distinctive stick-swinging
Hokonomiya Shrine Ritual
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- October, 2nd Sunday
- Location
- Hokononomiya Shrine
- Area
- Hiroshima Prefecture・Akitakata City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 50 min–4 h 20 min · bullet train)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
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
An autumn festival at Hokononomiya Shrine in Kawamoto, Yoshida-cho, Akitakata City, where parishioners take turns making offerings. The procession, rice cake offering, lion dance, and stick-swinging have been passed down.
About Hokonomiya Shrine Ritual
The Hokononomiya Shrine Ritual is an offering ceremony held during the autumn festival at Hokononomiya Shrine in Kawamoto, Yoshida-cho, Akitakata City.
The parishioners are divided into three Tōya groups—Kawamoto, Yamate, and Shimonakama—and the tradition of taking turns offering the festival is carried on.
The procession advances to the front of the shrine, where shishimai lion dancing and stick-swinging are offered after rice cakes are presented.
It has been passed down as intangible folk culture connected to the local parishioner organization.
Source: 埃ノ宮神社神儀（吉田町） | 安芸高田市
Festival highlights
A highlight is the procession led by Sarutahiko, with the lion, branches, offerings, musicians, stick-swinging performers, and parishioners following behind.
The procession proceeds to the front of the shrine. After rice cakes are offered, the lion dances and the stick-swinging performance takes place.
In particular, stick-swinging is described as an offering unique to this shrine ritual.
The procession and performances in front of the shrine offer a chance to see the structure of a festival tradition passed down in the region.
An autumn offering ceremony brought to life by a procession, shishimai lion dancing, and distinctive stick-swinging
What to expect
At the festival, one of the three Tōya groups takes charge of the offerings, and a procession led by Sarutahiko proceeds to the shrine.
The procession includes the lion, sakaki branches, offerings, musicians, stick-swinging performers, and parishioners.
Rice cakes are offered in front of the shrine, followed by shishimai lion dancing and stick-swinging.
The event centers on a sequence in which parishioners share roles and make offerings at the shrine.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Hokononomiya Shrine (1187 Kawamoto, Yoshida-cho, Akitakata City, Hiroshima Prefecture).
Source: 広島県安芸高田市 埃ノ宮神社
Address 1187 Kawamoto, Yoshida-cho, Akitakata City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
October, 2nd Sunday
Accommodation and hotels PR
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Tips for your visit
As the procession and offerings in front of the shrine are central to the event, please watch quietly from a spot that does not obstruct the or the procession.
Please keep your distance from performers during the shishimai lion dance and stick-swinging performance.
Respect the offerings made by the three Tōya groups and the progress of the event, and follow local guidance and instructions from event staff.
Origins and History of Hokonomiya Shrine Ritual
The Hokononomiya Shrine Ritual is an autumn festival event that has continued for generations.
A tradition about Hokononomiya Shrine identifies it as the site of the former Aki Hokononomiya associated with Emperor Jimmu, mentioned in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan).
Accounts also describe how it later came to be called Hachiman Shrine, as well as records of reconstruction in Ōei 8 and Eiroku 3.
Source: 埃宮神社(えのみやじんじや)とは？ 意味や使い方 - コトバンク
Official information
Akitakata City’s official cultural property guide introduces the Hokononomiya Shrine Ritual, its preservation group, and its public viewing date.
The preservation group is the Hokononomiya Shrine Ritual Preservation Society.
Contact information includes the office and phone number of the Akitakata City Board of Education Secretariat.
Hokonomiya Shrine Ritual at a Glance
The Hokononomiya Shrine Ritual is an autumn festival at Hokononomiya Shrine in Kawamoto, Yoshida-cho, Akitakata City, where parishioners make offerings.
Highlights include the procession led by Sarutahiko, the rice cake offering, and the shishimai lion dance, as well as stick-swinging, which is said to be unique to this shrine ritual.
As a long-standing event, the three Tōya groups—Kawamoto, Yamate, and Shimonakama—take turns making the offerings.
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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