A Festival in Iwaki Alive with Dueling Hoko, Dengaku, and Four Lion Dances
Goho-den Dengaku and Lion Dances
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Late July to early August
- Location
- Goho-den Kumano Shrine
- Area
- Fukushima Prefecture・Iwaki City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Goho-den and is a festival handed down at Goho-den Kumano Shrine in Iwaki City, centered on children’s dengaku and furyu lion dances. Multiple performing arts and unfold in sequence, including the hoko-raising ritual and the procession.
About Goho-den Dengaku and Lion Dances
Goho-den Dengaku and Lion Dances is a festival handed down at Goho-den Kumano Shrine in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.
Chigo Dengaku and Furyu is designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property as a classical dance associated with rice rituals.
The festival encompasses not only dengaku and lion dances, but also a hoko-raising ritual and the procession of the mikoshi.
Source: 御宝殿熊野神社｜見る・遊ぶ｜いわき市観光サイト - いわき市の観光・旅行情報が満載！ / 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
A highlight is the hoko-raising ritual, in which participants carry red and white hoko representing the coastal and agricultural areas, then compete to see which can be raised first.
In the children’s dengaku, 8 dengaku dancers face one another and perform 4 types of dance, including “Sōmeguri.”
The ensuing furyu lion dances comprise the White Heron Dance, Blue Dragon Dance, Male and Female Deer Dance, and Great Lion Dance. Performers shake their heads and leap to the beat of drums and flutes, accompanied by shouts.
Source: 新しい獅子舞との出会い、未分化な芸能の形。福島県いわき市 御宝殿熊野神社 祭礼 - 稲村行真 Yukimasa Inamura ブログ「旅してみんか」
A Festival in Iwaki Alive with Dueling Hoko, Dengaku, and Four Lion Dances
What to expect
The festival begins with the hoko being laid down. The carriers split into two groups and, at a signal, run along the approach to raise them in front of the shrine building.
After that, the children’s dengaku is performed in sequence in front of the chief priest’s residence, at the Takahashi family home, in front of the shrine’s , and in front of the shrine building, with breaks as the dances proceed.
The four lion dances are performed in front of the yagura, and the mikoshi is then brought out in front of the shrine building, according to the account.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Goho-den Kumano Shrine (31 Goho-den, Nishiki-machi, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture)
- Train and bus
It is about 10 minutes by car from JR Ueda Station.
A 2026 visit report says the writer reached the shrine after walking just over 20 minutes from Ueda Station.
- By car
It is about 10 minutes from Iwaki-Nakoso IC.
- Parking
50 vehicles.
There is also a large parking area.
Address 31 Goho-den, Nishiki-machi, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Dates and season
The Gohoden Kumano Shrine Festival is held each year from late July to early August, with chigo dengaku and furyu dances performed as offerings.
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 Fukushima Prefecture / Iwaki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
21世紀の森公園
福島県いわき市にある公園
いわき・ら・ら・ミュウ
福島県いわき市小名浜の海の駅いわき小名浜みなとオアシス1・2号埠頭地区（アクアマリンパーク）にあるいわき市観光物産館のことであり、その愛称名
いわき公園
福島県いわき市にある県立公園
いわき市アンモナイトセンター
福島県いわき市の露頭観察施設
いわき市フラワーセンター
福島県いわき市にある植物園
いわき市石炭・化石館
福島県いわき市の博物館
写真：Altomarina / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
いわき市立美術館
福島県いわき市にある美術館
いわき市立草野心平記念文学館
福島県いわき市にある、草野心平に関する文学館
いわき市考古資料館
福島県いわき市にある資料館
写真：Altomarina / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
アクアマリンふくしま
福島県いわき市小名浜にある水族館
スパリゾートハワイアンズ
福島県いわき市にあるレジャー施設
三崎公園
福島県いわき市小名浜にある公園
Origins and History of Goho-den Dengaku and Lion Dances
Goho-den Kumano Shrine is said to have originated in Daido 2 (807), when a divided spirit from Kumano Shingu in Kishu was enshrined here.
In Konin 1 (810), the shrine was moved to Oshima-go and became the guardian shrine of Kikuta-go.
There are several theories about how dengaku was introduced, including from Kumano and Niigata. It is also noted that boards from a binzasara instrument remain, inscribed with the names of performers who served during the Edo period.
Official information
The Iwaki City tourism website’s guide to Goho-den Kumano Shrine provides information on the festival dates, cultural property designation, venue address, and directions.
It also includes a link to the festival information page.
Goho-den Dengaku and Lion Dances at a Glance
Goho-den Dengaku and Lion Dances is a festival at Goho-den Kumano Shrine featuring a sequence of performances and rituals, including dengaku, the hoko-raising ritual, and furyu lion dances.
The main highlights are the competition to raise the red and white hoko, dances by 8 dengaku dancers, and 4 lion dances.
The venue is Goho-den Kumano Shrine in Nishiki-machi, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture. It is usually held from late July to early August.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
