Name: Horoha-yama Shimotsuki Kagura
Start: 2026-11-07
End: 2026-11-08
Location: Shrine Hall of Horoha-yama Hauchibetsu Shrine’s Satomiya

This yudate is dedicated throughout the night in Omori-machi, Yokote, to give thanks for the harvest and pray for abundant crops in the coming year. Thirty-three ritual acts and miko dances continue at a site of worship passed down since ancient times.

About Horoha-yama Shimotsuki Kagura

Horoha-yama Shimotsuki Kagura is a yudate kagura passed down at Horoha-yama Hauchibetsu Shrine in Omori-machi, Yokote.

It is performed as a ritual to give thanks for that year’s harvest and pray for abundant crops in the coming year.

The spirits of the three mountains of Horoha-yama, Ontake, and Takaoka are invited, and ancient ritual performances are dedicated throughout the night at the kagura venue of the priestly family, in an event closely tied to local beliefs.

Source: （秋）霜月神楽｜横手市公式サイト / 国指定文化財等データベース

Festival highlights

A highlight is the sacred space, with two boiling cauldrons set near the altar and and hung across the ceiling.

After preliminary rites such as summoning the gods, invoking the spirits, and reciting , dances including “Gochoshi,” “Yukaji,” “Tendo-mai,” and “Ise-mai” are performed one after another.

In the Horoha-yama dance, a miko delivers a divine oracle during the dance.

Traditional kagura where boiling cauldrons and miko dances carry through the night

What to expect

The kagura begins with preliminary rites such as summoning the gods, invoking the spirits, and reciting norito, followed by thirty-three ritual acts.

Priests from nearby areas gather at the shrine hall of the chief officiant and perform dances and rites classified as yudate kagura throughout the night.

Visitors watch the kagura offerings in turn in the shrine hall, arranged with boiling cauldrons, gohei, and shimenawa.

How to take part

No information is provided on whether members of the public can take part as ritual attendants.

However, attendance is open to everyone, who can visit to watch the kagura.

As this is a ritual setting, visitors are generally expected to make a hatsuho-ryo offering.

Location and access

Venue and address

Shrine Hall of Horoha-yama Hauchibetsu Shrine’s Satomiya (not the kagura hall) / 200 Kinonezaka, Yasawagi, Omori-machi, Yokote, Akita

Train and bus

There is no public transportation.

It is a 50-minute drive from JR Yokote Station.

By car

It is a 50-minute drive from Yokote IC on the Akita Expressway, 40 minutes from Yokote-kita IC (ETC only), and about 40 minutes from Omagari IC.

Parking

30 parking spaces; free of charge.

Address 200 Kinonezaka, Yasawagi, Omori-machi, Yokote, Akita

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Dates and season

In 2026, it will be held from 7 p.m. on November 7 until around 8 a.m. on November 8.

It begins every year on November 7 and continues through the night until the following morning.

Since the rites take place from night into the early morning, it is a good idea to plan in advance when you will attend and how you will get back.

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Akita Prefecture / Yokote City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

Photo and data sources

写真：Ocavis Leechroot / CC BY 3.0(resized and reformatted)

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Origins and History of Horoha-yama Shimotsuki Kagura

Horoha-yama Shimotsuki Kagura is a ritual said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.

The tradition is passed down as a form of yudate kagura in which priests from nearby areas gather and perform thirty-three ritual acts throughout the night.

The Horoha-yama dance, in which a miko delivers a divine oracle, includes elements that portray court ladies who may be seen as prototypes of shrine maidens. It was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property on May 17, 1977.

Official information

For information on the dates, venue, transportation, and how to attend, see “(Autumn) Shimotsuki Kagura” on the official Yokote City website.

Details of its cultural-property designation and an explanation of the kagura are also available in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties.