Enrei Onodachi Memorial Festival

Festival highlights

The festival’s most distinctive feature is that it lasts only a few dozen seconds, centered on a single bow.

At exactly 10 a.m., participants line up in front of the monument and bow together in response to a call.

The simple program consists of “Line up,” “Everyone: Bow,” and “Dismissed”; the 2015 and 2016 ceremonies ended in about 20 seconds.

You can visit alongside the views from Shiojiri Pass and the park’s natural surroundings.

Source: 【124】塩嶺御野立公園 展望台(長野県) | 地域づくり | 国土交通省 関東地方整備局

A bow at the pass monument: a spring and autumn ceremony condensed into a few dozen seconds

What to expect

At the festival, officials and council members from both cities, business association representatives, residents, and others line up in front of the monument.

At 10 a.m., they bow together at the command “All bow,” then disperse.

The ceremony itself is brief, and a social gathering or other opportunities to mingle may be arranged for participants afterward.

Location and access

Venue and address

Enrei Onodachi Park.

The address is 10016-149, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture.

By car

It is a 5-minute drive from the summit of Shiojiri Pass on National Route 20, or about 10 minutes from the Okaya IC on the Nagano Expressway.

It is about 1 km north of Shiojiri Pass on National Route 20.

Parking

Free parking is available.

Address 10016-149, Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture

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Dates and season

The festival is held twice a year, in spring and autumn. It usually takes place in late June and mid-October.

The spring festival is held to coincide with Emperor Meiji’s imperial progress through the area, while the autumn festival commemorates the day Emperor Showa visited Shiojiri Pass.

It has been reported that the 2026 spring festival was held on June 24.

Source: 皆で一礼 塩尻で「日本一短い祭り」御野立記念祭 – 市民タイムス

Tips for your visit

The festival centers on a bow and lasts only a few dozen seconds, so it is important to arrive at the venue in time for the 10 a.m. start.

The venue is in a park at Shiojiri Pass. If you’re driving, you can check the route via National Route 20 or Okaya IC.

The area also has an observation deck and nature trails, but the social gathering after the ceremony is for participants, so general visitors should check in advance whether they can attend.

Nearby attractions

Enrei Onodachi Park, the venue, is described as a viewpoint overlooking Lake Suwa, Mount Fuji, the Southern Alps, and the Yatsugatake mountain range.

The surrounding area is designated “Kotori no Mori” (Bird Forest), and the birdsong of Enrei has been recognized as one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan.”

Nearby attractions include Lake Suwa, Torii-daira Yamabiko Park, and Okaya Kohan Park.

Origins and History of Enrei Onodachi Memorial Festival

The festival commemorates visits to Shiojiri Pass by Emperor Meiji on June 24, 1880 and Emperor Showa on October 14, 1947.

The memorial festival began when a monument commemorating Emperor Meiji’s imperial progress was erected at the old pass in 1915.

In spring, Okaya City is responsible for the festival, timed to coincide with Emperor Meiji’s imperial progress; in autumn, Shiojiri City hosts it in commemoration of Emperor Showa’s visit.

Source: 塩嶺御野立記念祭 - Wikipedia

Official information

Details on the dates, venue, parking, and access can be found on the Shiojiri Tourism Association’s tourism information page.

A phone number for the Shiojiri City Tourism Promotion Division is listed for inquiries.

The Okaya Tourism Association and Okaya City Hall are also listed as related contacts.

Enrei Onodachi Memorial Festival at a Glance

The Enrei Onodachi Memorial Festival is a distinctive ceremony that ends in a few dozen seconds with a bow at 10 a.m. before the monument at Shiojiri Pass.

Okaya City and Shiojiri City hold the festival in spring and autumn to commemorate visits by Emperor Meiji and Emperor Showa.

Free parking is available at the venue, and you can also enjoy the views from the observation point.