Hachiman Shrine’s Kensho Nawakake

Festival highlights

A highlight is watching from the bridge over the Nagaredani River as the shimenawa is stretched between the persimmon tree on the shrine side and the sacred cedar on the opposite bank.

The thick rope has 12 smaller ropes attached to it, each with a sakaki branch. It is stretched across the river as auxiliary ropes are pulled up.

The view of the completed rope set against the red bridge, river, and trees on both banks is unique to this ritual.

You can also watch as local people work together, each taking on a role to finish the rope.

A ritual that ties Amami’s wishes into a great shimenawa spanning the river

What to expect

Early in the morning, parishioners from the Nagaredani and Shimo-Amami districts bring fresh straw and make 12 smaller ropes, attaching sakaki branches to a thick rope.

The rope is carried to the shrine for prayers, then the smaller ropes are tied to the thick rope on the bridge.

Finally, the ends of the rope are secured to trees on both banks and stretched across the river with the help of auxiliary ropes.

Visitors can watch the full sequence of this locally handed-down ritual, from rope-making to hanging the rope on the bridge.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the ritual.

It has not been confirmed whether general visitors can take part in hanging the rope.

If you come to watch, follow the instructions so you do not interfere with the parishioners’ ritual or the work of stretching the rope across the river.

Local parishioners bring fresh straw and make a thick rope and smaller ropes with sakaki branches attached.

After being blessed with prayers, the completed rope is carried to the bridge and stretched between standing trees on both banks of the river.

As no information is available about members of the general public participating in the work, please give priority to the progress of the ritual if you wish to watch.

Source: 暮らしの中の祭礼｜中世に出逢えるまち 河内長野

Location and access

Venue and address

Hachiman Shrine (Nagaredani Hachiman Shrine) / 2211 Amami, Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture

Train and bus

It is a 15-minute walk from Nankai Amami Station.

Source: 八幡神社 – 河内長野観光ナビ / 【河内長野市】天見の奥にある唯一無二の神事・流谷八幡神社の勧請縄かけの縄が今年も無事にかけられました | 南河内ニュース【公式】

Address 2211 Amami, Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season

Around January 6 every year

Frequency

Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The ritual takes place from early morning through the morning, with the rope stretched near the bridge over the Nagaredani River.

When watching, take care to keep the work along the river and on the bridge safe, and do not block the paths used by parishioners or shrine priests.

As the event takes place on a winter morning, dressing warmly will help you stay comfortable.

Nearby attractions

The Amami and Nagaredani districts, where Hachiman Shrine is located, have satoyama scenery and the Nagaredani terraced rice fields.

A walk around the shrine offers views of the red bridge over the Nagaredani River and a chance to experience the area’s nature and history.

Near Nankai Amami Station is Amami Onsen Nanten-en, a long-established inn.

The surrounding area offers a chance to experience the local culture of Amami and Nagaredani on foot, along with the festival.

Source: 日本の原風景と穴場温泉旅館。カメラ片手に河内長野の天見・流谷地区で癒しの日帰りトリップ - Discover Osaka

Origins and History of Hachiman Shrine’s Kensho Nawakake

Hachiman Shrine is said to have begun when the sacred object of worship from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine was transferred here in Choryaku 3 (1039), and a shrine building was constructed at this site.

The Kensho Nawakake is said to have come to be held in connection with January 6, the day on which the deity enshrined here is believed to have been transferred.

Rope-hanging ceremonies were also held in other parts of the city, but many were simplified or discontinued.

Hachiman Shrine’s Kensho Nawakake has been designated a municipal cultural property for preserving its traditional form and scale.

Official information

Hachiman Shrine’s Kensho Nawakake is an intangible folk cultural property featured by Kawachinagano City as a municipally designated cultural property.

The city’s cultural property guide provides information on the approximate timing, the ritual’s meaning, and the steps involved in making and hanging the rope.

The tourism guide also lists Hachiman Shrine’s contact details for specific inquiries, such as the ritual schedule.

Hachiman Shrine’s Kensho Nawakake at a Glance

Hachiman Shrine’s Kensho Nawakake is a local ritual in which parishioners from Amami make a shimenawa from fresh straw and stretch it across the Nagaredani River.

The ritual is intended to ward off epidemics and pray for good health and bountiful harvests. The bridge and river in front of Hachiman Shrine serve as its setting.

It is usually held early in the morning around January 6, and visitors can watch.

There is a record of the event being held on January 10 in 2026.