Hirai’s autumn festival, adorned with phoenix crowns and drums
Ho-o-no-Mai
The 2026 edition of Ho-o-no-Mai has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/09/26 〜 2026/09/27Ended
- Season / frequency
- Weekends near September 29 each year / Every year
- Location
- Kasuga Shrine and Hachiman Shrine
- Area
- Tokyo Metropolis・Hinode Town(Within Tokyo: approx. 15 min–1 h by train (central areas))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
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
An autumn festival passed down in Hirai, Hinode, Tokyo, featuring the Yakko-no-Mai and the Ho-o-no-Mai. The procession led by Hanagasa Manto and the dances performed to flute and drum music herald autumn in the community.
About Ho-o-no-Mai
The Ho-o-no-Mai is a furyu-style performing art passed down in the Shimohirai area of Hirai, Hinode, and is performed as an offering at Kasuga Shrine’s autumn festival.
It consists of the Yakko-no-Mai, said to incorporate elements of kabuki, and the Ho-o-no-Mai, a drum dance.
Once performed to pray for rain and protection from epidemics, it is now passed down as an annual community event.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
Highlights include the procession led by Hanagasa Manto and the two dances performed as offerings along the route.
In the Yakko-no-Mai, elementary-school boys dance around a drum with fans and wooden swords, then each recites a line.
In the following Ho-o-no-Mai, dancers wearing phoenix-shaped crowns or red headscarves move in a pattern of three concentric circles around a large drum.
Source: のどかな里に秋の訪れを告げる風物詩 日の出町・「鳳凰の舞」 | 観光トピックス | 多摩の観光情報なら - Another TOKYO TAMA
Hirai’s autumn festival, adorned with phoenix crowns and drums
What to expect
For the festival, everyone gathers at places such as the Shimohirai community hall, then parades through the area to the accompaniment of flute and drum music.
Along the route, the Yakko-no-Mai and the Ho-o-no-Mai are performed in turn. On the main festival day, after performing the dances as offerings at the shrine, the procession continues around the area.
The Yakko-no-Mai includes spoken lines, while the Ho-o-no-Mai features shouts and a song known as uchikomi-uta.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around 3690 Hirai, Hinode, centered on Kasuga Shrine and Hachiman Shrine.
- Train and bus
About 20 minutes by bus from JR Fussa Station, or about 20 minutes on foot from JR Musashi-Hikida Station.
Source: 日の出町観光協会 - 日の出町観光協会ホームページ
Address 3690 Hirai, Hinode, Nishitama District, Tokyo
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the festival was listed as the annual festival of Kasuga Shrine and Hachiman Shrine on September 26 (Saturday) and the 27th (Sunday).
The Ho-o-no-Mai is performed as an offering during this autumn festival in Hirai.
It is usually held on a weekend near September 29.
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 Tokyo Metropolis / Hinode Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The procession passes through several locations in the area, so the viewing spot changes depending on the performance.
Kasuga Shrine is described as the place where the dance is offered and as a recommended viewing spot.
The procession is scheduled to continue from evening into night on Saturday and from morning through night on Sunday, so allow plenty of time to move between locations according to the schedule.
Source: ハイキングガイドの会 - 日の出町観光協会ホームページ
Origins and History of Ho-o-no-Mai
It is unclear when the Ho-o-no-Mai was first introduced, but it has been passed down in the Shimohirai area as a performance offered to pray for rain and protection from epidemics.
Its last performance as a rainmaking rite during a drought is said to have been in August of Showa 22.
From the Showa 30s onward, it was performed regularly at Kasuga Shrine’s autumn festival, and in Showa 28 it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tokyo.
Official information
You can find information about the town on Hinode Town’s official website.
Event information for Hirai’s autumn festival and the Ho-o-no-Mai is also available from the Hinode Town Tourism Association.
Ho-o-no-Mai at a Glance
The Ho-o-no-Mai is a traditional performing art offered at the autumn festival in Hirai, Hinode.
The procession led by Hanagasa Manto is followed by the Yakko-no-Mai, performed with fans and wooden swords, and the Ho-o-no-Mai, featuring phoenix crowns and drums. Together, they convey the close connection between local prayers and performing arts.
In 2026, it was listed for the annual festival on September 26 and the 27th.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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