A peculiar autumn festival in Nonami, where demon-masked Gatchi purify the roads
Gatchi Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/10/23Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- Every year on October 23 / Once a year
- Location
- Around Hinomisaki Shrine
- Area
- Shimane Prefecture・Matsue(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 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
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/21
Gatchi Festival, held in Nonami, Shimane-cho, Matsue, is the Gion-sha Shinko-sai, where Gatchi wearing demon masks swing straw sticks and purify the district while making loud cries. It is a distinctive local that welcomes the gods' return to their home.
About Gatchi Festival
Gatchi Festival is the Gion-sha Shinko-sai held around Hinomisaki Shrine in Nonami, Shimane-cho, Matsue.
When the gods return once a year to Hiyoshi Shrine, where they were once enshrined, a figure called “Gatchi” appears to purify the route.
In this distinctive event, Gatchi wearing demon masks and other accessories strike roads, houses, and people with straw sticks, praying for good health and protection from illness.
The local shinji is intertwined with the festival's striking and unusual appearance.
Source: ガッチ祭り | 海のまち島根町公式観光ガイド・チカウミさんぽ
Festival highlights
The main highlight is seeing Gatchi dressed in white and wearing demon masks proceed through the district while making loud cries.
The Gatchi strike the ground with straw sticks and swing them at not only the roads but also houses and people, purifying the area.
Children are chased and run away, creating a powerful spectacle reminiscent of Namahage in Akita.
There is also a local belief that being bitten on the head by a Gatchi wearing a lion-dance mask brings good health and protection from illness.
Source: ガッチ祭り 開催！ １０月２３日（日） | 海のまち島根町公式観光ガイド・チカウミさんぽ
A peculiar autumn festival in Nonami, where demon-masked Gatchi purify the roads
What to expect
At the festival, the Gatchi carry straw sticks called “Suppo” or “Shippo” and walk through the district, calling out “Hee, hee.”
Originally, their role was to purify the route in advance of the gods' passage, but today they tour a wider area of the district.
Children watch the event while running away from the Gatchi and being chased by them.
There are also scenes where people pray for good health and protection from illness by being struck by the Gatchi or having their heads bitten by them.
Source: 祇園社神幸祭（ガッチ祭り）｜NPO 日本の祭りネットワーク
How to take part
At the Gacchi Festival, figures called “Gacchi,” dressed in white and wearing demon masks, walk around the district carrying straw sticks called “Shibbo.”
Chasing and frightening local children is also part of the event. It is said that being struck with a “Shibbo,” or having a Gacchi wearing a lion-head mask bite your head, brings good health and protection from illness.
No information is provided on how general visitors can take part as Gacchi or as participants in the shrine rites.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Hinomisaki Shrine, 313 Nonami, Shimane-cho, Matsue City
- Train and bus
About 50 minutes by local bus from Matsue Station on the JR Sanin Main Line
- By car
Use Prefectural Route 37 (Matsue-Kashima-Mihonoseki Line)
- Parking
None
Address 313 Nonami, Shimane-cho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Dates and season
The festival is scheduled for October 23 in 2026.
In the Matsue Tourism Association’s 2026 event schedule, the Gacchi Festival is listed in Nonami as the Gion Shrine Shinkosai.
No details are given for the start or end time.
Source: 松江観光協会 - イベント|伝統行事・年中行事一覧|2026 年のイベント行事予定 (2026.6.29 現在)
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Tips for your visit
The Gacchi cry out “Hee, hee” as they purify the ground, houses, and people by striking them with straw sticks called “Shibbo.”
The Gacchi chase and frighten local children, and their desperate attempts to run away are also a characteristic feature of the festival.
Reports say that even photographers have been struck, so watch the Gacchi’s movements carefully while viewing the event.
There is no parking at the venue.
Nearby attractions
いずもまがたまの里 伝承館
島根県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：江戸村のとくぞう (Edomura no Tokuzo) / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source ·
メテオプラザ
島根県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
中村元記念館
島根県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
Sada Shrine
島根県松江市にある神社
八重垣神社
松江市にある神社
小泉八雲旧居
島根県松江市にある文学館
小泉八雲記念館
島根県松江市にある文学館
島根大学旧奥谷宿舎
島根県松江市にある洋館
島根県立八雲立つ風土記の丘
島根県の風土記の丘。
島根県立美術館
島根県松江市にある美術館
松江フォーゲルパーク
島根県松江市にあるテーマーパーク
松江歴史館
島根県松江市にある博物館
Origins and History of Gatchi Festival
Gatchi Festival is a shinji that has been held as the Gion-sha Shinko-sai.
It is said that the Shinko-sai began after Hiyoshi Shrine, once located on Mount Gongenzan in Nonami, was merged with Hinomisaki Shrine, the current ujigami shrine, in Meiji 42. The festival is held to pray for the well-being of the and abundant harvests.
Once a year, the gods of Hiyoshi Shrine return to their original location in this shinji, and the Gatchi served as guides who purified the route.
Over time, the Gatchi began to walk around the district, taking on the form seen today.
Official information
For visitor information about the area, see “Umi no Machi Shimane-cho Official Tourism Guide: Chikaumi Sanpo.”
Basic information is provided, including the festival name, venue, date, and contact details.
The contact is the Shimane-cho Branch of the Matsue Tourism Association.
Gatchi Festival at a Glance
Gatchi Festival is the Gion-sha Shinko-sai held around Hinomisaki Shrine in Nonami, Shimane-cho, Matsue.
Gatchi wearing demon masks and other accessories carry straw sticks and purify the roads and district while making loud cries, praying for good health and protection from illness.
The festival is scheduled for October 23 in 2026. There is no parking at the venue.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/21
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