A traditional Oita festival entrusting the year’s wishes to arrows hitting their mark and the sound of taiko
Futomegawa Momote Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year on January 20 / Every year
- Location
- The tojin’s home for that year
- Area
- Oita Prefecture・Oita City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 35 min–1 h 55 min · flight time only)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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
The Futomegawa Momote Festival, passed down in the Futomegawa district of Yokoo, Oita City, is a New Year event in which arrows are shot at a target to divine the fortunes of the coming year. Prayers for good health and a bountiful harvest are carried on through community traditions centered on the tojin, the festival’s appointed host.
About Futomegawa Momote Festival
The Futomegawa Momote Festival is an intangible folk cultural property passed down in the Futomegawa district of Yokoo, Oita City.
Held every year on January 20 at the home of the tojin selected by rotation, the ceremony uses arrows shot at a target to divine the fortunes of the coming year.
When an arrow hits the center, bells and drums are sounded, and the community celebrates this festival, which offers prayers for good health and a bountiful harvest.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the Matoya no Gi, the festival’s central ceremony of shooting at the target.
Seated formally on tatami, the archer aims at the centers of the targets on the left and right, shooting 3 arrows at each for a total of 6.
When an arrow hits the center of the target, bells and taiko drums are sounded, making the shot and the sounds that follow one continuous scene.
According to the 2026 announcement, 5 representatives shot arrows at a target 4 meters away.
A traditional Oita festival entrusting the year’s wishes to arrows hitting their mark and the sound of taiko
What to expect
At the Futomegawa Momote Festival on January 20, 2026, children from Takao Kodomoen and local residents gathered at the Futomegawa Community Center.
Members of the preservation society guided the children as they tried the Matoya no Gi, and representatives shot arrows at the target to divine the fortunes of the coming year.
Cheers rose each time an arrow hit, making the festival an opportunity to experience local traditions.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The tojin’s home for that year (Futomegawa, Yokoo, Oita City)
Address Futomegawa, Yokoo, Oita City
Dates and season
- Season
Every year on January 20
- Frequency
Every year
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 Oita Prefecture / Oita City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
大分マリーンパレス水族館
大分県大分市にある水族館
大分市歴史資料館
大分県大分市にある博物館
大分市海部古墳資料館
大分県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
大分市美術館
大分県大分市にある美術館
大分県立埋蔵文化財センター
大分県大分市にある行政機関
大分県立歴史博物館
大分県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
大分県立美術館
大分県大分市にある美術館
大分県立芸術会館
大分県大分市にあった文化施設
府内城
大分県大分市の城
柞原八幡宮
大分県大分市にある神社
西寒多神社
大分県大分市にある神社
高崎山自然動物園
大分県大分市にある自然公園
Origins and History of Futomegawa Momote Festival
The Futomegawa Momote Festival is an annual New Year tradition said to have begun around 490 years ago, during the Tenmon era (1532–1555).
Households belonging to the preservation society, formed by residents of the Futomegawa district, take turns serving as tojin, and the tradition of providing the tojin’s home as the festival venue continues.
In 2013, the festival was designated an intangible folk cultural property by Oita City.
Official information
The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Cultural Heritage Online” lists the Futomegawa Momote Festival as an intangible folk cultural property designated by Oita City.
Futomegawa Momote Festival at a Glance
The Futomegawa Momote Festival is an intangible folk cultural property held every year on January 20 in the Futomegawa district of Yokoo, Oita City.
During the Matoya no Gi (ceremony of shooting at the target), arrows are aimed at the center of the target to divine the fortunes of the coming year. When an arrow hits, bells and taiko drums are sounded.
The event prays for good health and a bountiful harvest, carrying on a tradition said to have begun around 490 years ago alongside community practices such as rotating the role of tojin.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
