Hanakago Festival

This is an offering ritual from the mountainous areas of eastern Tottori Prefecture. Young people carry flower baskets decorated with five-colored paper to the shrine, guided by the sound of drums. The ritual expresses prayers for a good harvest and gratitude to the local guardian deity, and Kirin is also performed as an offering.

About Hanakago Festival

Hanakago Festival is a traditional event from the mountainous areas of eastern Tottori Prefecture.

Young people carry flower baskets to the shrine as offerings. The baskets are made with bamboo strips wrapped in five-colored paper, arranged to resemble flowers.

The festival has been passed down as an occasion to pray for a good harvest and express gratitude to the local guardian deity, who brings an abundant yield.

Kirin Shishimai is also performed as an offering at the venue.

Source: 䖝井神社例大祭（毎年11月3日） | 智頭町観光協会暮らし屋

Festival highlights

A highlight is the sight of young people carrying flower baskets adorned with colorful decorations.

Led by carrying drums, young men carrying flower baskets walk along mountain paths toward the shrine.

Kirin Shishimai is performed at the shrine, along with a Shōjō dance.

There is also a custom of taking home the artificial willow flowers from the flower baskets after the festival.

Source: 花籠祭り｜NPO 日本の祭りネットワーク

An offering festival where five-colored flower baskets and Kirin Shishimai bring color to a mountain village

What to expect

For the festival, artificial flowers made by wrapping five-colored paper around bamboo strips are placed in a bamboo basket to create a flower basket.

On the day, young people carry flower baskets and walk to the shrine, guided by the sound of drums.

Upon reaching the shrine, they circle the main sanctuary once and present the flower baskets as offerings, followed by Kirin Shishimai.

There is a custom of taking home the willow decorations after the festival.

Location and access

Address: Tottori City, Yazu Town, Chizu Town

Host municipality 鳥取県鳥取市,八頭町,智頭町

This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.

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Dates and season

Frequency: Every year

Tips for your visit

Hanakago Festival is described as an event involving a walk along mountain paths, allowing visitors to watch the procession to the shrine and the offering ceremony in succession.

The procession carrying the flower baskets and the offerings at the shrine are highlights. Please take care not to obstruct the procession or the offerings when watching.

Since listings for the date differ, confirm the date, time, and venue of the relevant festival before setting out.

Origins and History of Hanakago Festival

Hanakago Festival is described as an event widely seen in the mountainous areas of eastern Tottori Prefecture.

The flower-basket offering is said to be a tradition that has continued for over 100 years, and is regarded as an offering expressing prayers and gratitude for a good harvest.

Carrying the flower baskets is described as one of the region’s rites of passage, and the custom of taking home willow decorations after the festival has also been passed down.

Official information

For festival inquiries, the contact details provided are for Mushii Shrine and the Chizu Town Tourism Association.

Mushii Shrine can be reached at 0858-75-3824, and the Chizu Town Tourism Association at 0858-76-1111.

When checking the date or venue, please contact the organizers of the relevant festival.