Hiraoka’s shinji, where a shimenawa is stretched and laughter welcomes good fortune in the new year
Hiraoka Jinja Shimenawa-kake Shinji
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/12/20Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- Year-end
- Location
- Hiraoka
- Area
- Osaka Prefecture・Higashi-Osaka City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · 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
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation
- Participation fee
- Receive a Shofuku-mamori for 1000 yen to enter.
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
The Hiraoka Jinja -kake is a year-end rite of blessing for the coming year, commonly known as the “Laughter Shinji,” where people laugh heartily in front of a stretched shimenawa.
About Hiraoka Jinja Shimenawa-kake Shinji
The Hiraoka Jinja Shimenawa-kake Shinji is a year-end rite of blessing for the coming year, commonly known as the “Laughter Shinji.”
Starting early in the morning, shrine elders stretch a shimenawa they have twisted by hand. In front of it, the chief priest, , shrine elders, and laugh heartily, saying “Ah-ha-ha!”
This shinji evokes the “Ama no Iwayato myth” through laughter. Visitors are advised to receive a Shofuku-mamori before taking part.
Festival highlights
Highlights include watching the shrine elders stretch out the shimenawa they twisted by hand early in the morning, followed by everyone laughing together in the shinji in front of it.
One of the event’s defining features is the distinctive sight of the chief priest, shinshoku, shrine elders, and ujiko shouting “Ah-ha-ha!”
The laughter continues for 20 minutes, and the Shofuku-mamori is also used in the shinji.
Hiraoka’s shinji, where a shimenawa is stretched and laughter welcomes good fortune in the new year
What to expect
The event begins early in the morning, when shrine elders twist the shimenawa by hand and stretch it out.
Afterward, the chief priest, shinshoku, shrine elders, and ujiko laugh heartily in front of the shimenawa, saying “Ah-ha-ha!”
The laughter continues for 20 minutes, and visitors are advised to receive the Shofuku-mamori used in the shinji before taking part.
How to take part
The guidance says to receive a Shofuku-mamori before taking part in the shinji.
The chief priest, shinshoku, shrine elders, and ujiko laugh heartily, but no information is provided about who among the general public may participate or whether viewing only is allowed.
Visitors are advised to receive a Shofuku-mamori to take part. The cost is 1000 yen.
No information is provided about the reception location, whether advance reservations are required, or eligibility requirements.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Hiraoka Jinja / 7-16 Izumoicho, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka
- Train and bus
1-minute walk from Hiraoka Station on the Kintetsu Line
- Parking
None.
Use of public transportation is recommended.
Address 7-16 Izumoicho, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka
Dates and season
It is scheduled to take place on December 20, 2026 (Sunday).
The shimenawa is stretched out early in the morning, and the laughter shinji lasts 20 minutes.
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 Osaka Prefecture / Higashi-Osaka City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
There is no parking at the venue, so use of public transportation is recommended.
Visitors are advised to receive a Shofuku-mamori before entering.
Nearby attractions
Nearby recommended spots include Higashi-Osaka PA (downbound) and the JA Osaka Nakakawachi Farmers’ Market, Hatake no Tsuzuki Higashi-Osaka store.
Hiraoka Jinja
大阪府東大阪市にある神社
Origins and History of Hiraoka Jinja Shimenawa-kake Shinji
This shinji is described as an event reminiscent of the “Ama no Iwayato myth.”
Its connection to mythology is reflected in the currently documented practice of laughing heartily in front of the shimenawa.
The materials do not provide specific information about when it began or how it has changed over time.
Hiraoka Jinja Shimenawa-kake Shinji at a Glance
The Hiraoka Jinja Shimenawa-kake Shinji is a year-end rite of blessing for the coming year. The shrine elders stretch a shimenawa they have twisted by hand, then the chief priest, shinshoku, shrine elders, and ujiko laugh heartily in front of it.
The laughter shinji lasts 20 minutes, and visitors are advised to receive a Shofuku-mamori to take part.
The venue is Hiraoka Jinja, a 1-minute walk from Kintetsu Hiraoka Station. There is no parking.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
