A folk event in Suwa commemorating offerings by the lord’s and chief retainer’s mounted processions
O-kiba at Fumonji Temple
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Fumonji Temple
- Area
- Nagano Prefecture・Suwa City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 50 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.
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
A folk event at Fumonji Temple that commemorates the offering of the lord’s and chief retainer’s mounted processions, which took part in welcoming the Onbashira at Suwa Upper Shrine.
About O-kiba at Fumonji Temple
The O-kiba at Fumonji Temple is a festival passed down in Suwa City.
At Ashinaga Shrine, the tutelary shrine of the area, an Onbashira Festival modeled on that of Suwa Upper Shrine is held. Records state that from Meiji 5 onward, the lord’s and chief retainer’s mounted processions that took part in welcoming the Onbashira at Suwa Upper Shrine came to be offered at Fumonji Temple.
The present-day O-kiba at Fumonji Temple is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Suwa City.
Festival highlights
Its distinctive feature is the mounted offerings associated with the Onbashira Festival.
It is said that from Meiji 5 onward, the lord’s and chief retainer’s mounted processions, which took part in welcoming the Onbashira at Suwa Upper Shrine, were offered to Fumonji Temple as they were.
The origins of this event—bringing together samurai mounted processions and a local festival—are a major highlight of today’s O-kiba.
A folk event in Suwa commemorating offerings by the lord’s and chief retainer’s mounted processions
What to expect
The festival is said to involve mounted processions that took part in welcoming the Onbashira at Suwa Upper Shrine being offered at Fumonji Temple.
The offering of the lord’s and chief retainer’s mounted processions as they were is described as the history that led to today’s O-kiba.
No information could be confirmed about how visitors may take part or the detailed schedule on the day.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Fumonji Temple (Suwa City)
Event venue 長野県諏訪市 普門寺
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Nagano Prefecture / Suwa City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
サンリツ服部美術館
長野県諏訪市にある美術館
諏訪大社
長野県諏訪地域にある4つの神社の総称
Origins and History of O-kiba at Fumonji Temple
The O-kiba at Fumonji Temple traces its origins to offerings made from Meiji 5 onward.
Records state that the lord’s and chief retainer’s mounted processions, which took part in welcoming the Onbashira at the Suwa Upper Shrine Onbashira Festival, were offered to Fumonji Temple as they were.
This event, with its history, is now designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Suwa City.
O-kiba at Fumonji Temple at a Glance
The O-kiba at Fumonji Temple is a folk event in Suwa City said to have originated with offerings by the lord’s and chief retainer’s mounted processions that took part in welcoming the Onbashira at Suwa Upper Shrine.
Its history from Meiji 5 onward has been passed down, and it is now designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Suwa City.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
