A Gion Festival in Tamba-Sasayama, brought to life by dashi and puppet theater
Oyama Festival at Hohokabe Shrine
The 2026 edition of Oyama Festival at Hohokabe Shrine has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/06/06 〜 2026/06/07Ended
- Season / frequency
- The first Saturday and Sunday of June / Every year (the Kiuri-yama and Dekonobo are dedicated once every 3 years)
- Location
- Hohokabe Shrine
- Area
- Hyogo Prefecture・Tamba-Sasayama City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 40 min–3 h 10 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Participation fee: ¥1,000 (to cover local transportation)
- Age restrictions
- Not specified
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Oyama Festival at Hohokabe Shrine is a Gion Festival in Tamba-Sasayama that preserves the music, sacred procession, and Dekonobo puppet performance.
About Oyama Festival at Hohokabe Shrine
The Oyama Festival at Hohokabe Shrine is an annual festival that has been passed down at Hohokabe Shrine in Tamba-Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture.
Two types of floats, the -yama and Kiuri-yama, are dedicated, and the Kiuri-yama features a puppet called Dekonobo.
The festival is supported by 8 shrine parishioner villages, and the dashi, sacred procession, and religious ceremonies demonstrate the bonds within the community.
It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2005.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース / 波々伯部神社祇園祭 | 丹波篠山市公式観光サイト『ぐるり！丹波篠山』丹波篠山市公式観光サイト『ぐるり！丹波篠山』
Festival highlights
Highlights include the Danjiri-yama, which moves to the accompaniment of festival music, and the boat-shaped Kiuri-yama.
At the Kiuri-yama, a puppet performance featuring Dekonobo puppets controlled by gripping a single handle is dedicated. The combination of the dashi procession and puppet theater makes for a distinctive experience.
On the day of the festival, a sacred procession led by Sarutahiko takes place, along with a procession around the .
Another striking moment is Kamisan-mukae, when young children play the kakko drum to welcome the Kiuri-yama.
A Gion Festival in Tamba-Sasayama, brought to life by dashi and puppet theater
What to expect
During the festival, each shrine parishioner village pulls its dashi, enters the grounds of Hohokabe Shrine, and watches the religious ceremonies.
The 2026 participant program included pulling a dashi along straight sections only, preparing festival food, and hearing explanations about the festival from local residents.
On the day of the festival, the sacred procession travels to Otoshimori Shrine, where religious ceremonies and offerings are made, before returning.
In years when the special event takes place once every 3 years, the Oyama and Dekonobo are also dedicated.
Source: 2026年度の丹波篠山 波々伯部(ほうかべ）神社の祇園祭（6月6日(土)，7日(日)の山車曳き体験参加者募集！｜Natsuki Shimizu
How to take part
General visitors can enjoy the festival by watching the religious ceremonies and dashi floats.
In 2026, participants were recruited to join in pulling a dashi and preparing festival food as members of the local community.
However, participants may pull the dashi only along straight sections where there is little risk; they do not take part in turning it.
Participants are divided among the shrine parishioner villages, so they should follow the guidance of local residents.
In 2026, participants signed up through a dedicated online form.
The standard course was 2 days and 1 night, and a day-trip option was also offered for those who wished to participate on either June 6 or the 7th only.
If applications exceed capacity, participants are selected by lottery. Participants are divided among 8 host villages, where they pull a dashi and prepare festival food.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Hohokabe Shrine (3-2 Miyanomae, Tamba-Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture)
- Train and bus
From the west exit of JR Sasayamaguchi Station, take a Shinki Green Bus to Hohokabe-mae, then walk a short distance.
- By car
It is about 30 minutes from Tannan-Sasayamaguchi IC on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway.
Address 3-2 Miyanomae, Tamba-Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, it was held on June 6 (Saturday) and the 7th (Sunday).
It was traditionally held during the hot weather of August, but the 2026 dates were changed to help prevent heatstroke.
Annual information lists the first Saturday and Sunday of June as the usual festival dates, and the Kiuri-yama and Dekonobo are dedicated once every 3 years.
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 Hyogo Prefecture / Tamba-Sasayama City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Those taking part in the dashi-pulling experience are expected to engage with the event as members of the local community.
The 2026 recruitment information listed a white T-shirt, light-colored long pants, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, a water bottle, and drinks among the items to bring.
Prepare for the heat and outdoor activities, follow directions from local organizers, and remember to drink water.
Nearby attractions
篠山城
兵庫県丹波篠山市にある城跡
Origins and History of Oyama Festival at Hohokabe Shrine
Hohokabe Shrine is also known as “Tamba’s Gion-san” because it enshrined a divided spirit from Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine in Tენტoku 2 (958).
At the festival, 8 shrine parishioner villages dedicate dashi floats, while shrine officials and Miyadoshi elders have traditionally been responsible for assembling the Kiuri-yama and operating the puppets.
The Kiuri-yama was once dedicated every 6 years, in the Year of the Dragon and the Year of the Dog, but since being shown to the public in Heisei 13, it has been dedicated every 3 years.
It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2005.
Official information
The official Tamba-Sasayama tourism website provides information about when the Hohokabe Shrine Gion Festival is held, the venue, transportation, and the address.
Details about the event as a cultural property can be found in the Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties.
Information about the shrine’s annual festival, the Oyama, and Dekonobo is also available in the Hyogo Prefectural Shrine Agency’s shrine listings.
Source: 波々伯部神社｜兵庫県神社庁 神社検索
Oyama Festival at Hohokabe Shrine at a Glance
The Oyama Festival at Hohokabe Shrine is a Gion Festival supported by the shrine parishioner villages of Tamba-Sasayama.
Highlights include dashi floats accompanied by festival music, a sacred procession, and a mikoshi procession, as well as the dedication of the Kiuri-yama and Dekonobo once every 3 years.
In 2026, it was held on June 6 and 7, and opportunities were offered to take part in activities such as pulling a dashi and preparing festival food.
This is a festival to enjoy while respecting local traditions and following guidance.
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
