Kaga’s Hikifune Shinji, preserving the story of welcoming the deity from the cave
Hikifune Shinji
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Area
- Shimane Prefecture・Matsue City(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
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
The Hikifune , passed down at Kaga Shrine in Kaga, Shimane-cho, Matsue City, is a distinctive ritual rooted in the story of bringing the deity from the Kaga no Kanzaki cave to the present site.
About Hikifune Shinji
The Hikifune Shinji is a distinctive ritual passed down at Kaga Shrine in Kaga, Shimane-cho, Matsue City.
An event held when the deity was brought from the Kaga no Kanzaki cave, described in the Izumo Fudoki, to the present site has been preserved as the Hikifune Shinji, which takes place the day after the sengu relocation.
Kaga Shrine’s annual festival is said to be held on October 21, but the Hikifune Shinji itself is described as an event associated with the sengu relocation.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the story of welcoming the deity, connecting the Kaga no Kanzaki cave with present-day Kaga Shrine.
According to the shrine’s account, the event held when the deity was brought from the cave to land has been passed down as the Hikifune Shinji.
A custom of carrying and protecting the bearing the during the sengu relocation held every 20 years is also mentioned, showing how closely the Hikifune Shinji is connected with the relocation.
Kaga’s Hikifune Shinji, preserving the story of welcoming the deity from the cave
What to expect
According to the traditional account, the deity enshrined in the Kaga no Kanzaki cave was brought to the present site, and the event held at that time has been preserved as the Hikifune Shinji.
The shrine’s history says it takes place the day after the sengu relocation.
It also describes a custom observed during the sengu relocation held every 20 years, when people carry the mikoshi bearing the shintai and protect it.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kaga Shrine, 1490 Kaga, Shimane-cho, Matsue City
Event venue 島根県松江市 加賀神社 松江市島根町加賀1490番地
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Accommodation and hotels PR
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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
Yaegaki Shrine
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 Hikifune Shinji
The Hikifune Shinji traces its origins to the later transfer to the present site of the deity enshrined in the Kaga no Kanzaki cave mentioned in the Izumo Fudoki.
The history of how the chief priest and shrine attendants came to serve the deity, along with the event held when the deity was brought from the cave to land, has been passed down as part of Kaga Shrine’s history.
Today, the event is described as having been preserved as the Hikifune Shinji, held the day after the sengu relocation.
Official information
Information about Kaga Shrine is provided in the shrine details published by the Shimane Prefecture Association of .
The shrine is named Kaga Shrine and is located at 1490 Kaga, Shimane-cho, Matsue City.
The listed phone number for inquiries is 0852-85-2162.
Hikifune Shinji at a Glance
The Hikifune Shinji is an event passed down at Kaga Shrine, rooted in the story of bringing the deity from the Kaga no Kanzaki cave to the present site.
The event held at that time has been preserved as the Hikifune Shinji, which takes place the day after the sengu relocation, and a custom of carrying and protecting the mikoshi bearing the shintai during the sengu relocation held every 20 years has also been passed down.
The shrine is located at 1490 Kaga, Shimane-cho, Matsue City.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/11
