Igomori Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include great torches illuminating the shrine grounds at night and a ritual tug-of-war with a rope made of bamboo and shaped like an evil spirit.

At Hōsono Shrine, the Ota Ritual proceeds toward the sacred site with a great torch at the head of the procession; at Wakudeno Shrine, great torches are lit after the Gate Ceremony.

Scenes such as the offering of sacred sake, the offering of a meal, and rice planting also preserve agricultural rites from the Muromachi period.

Source: いごもり祭（居籠祭） | イベント一覧 | 京都府観光連盟公式サイト

A South Yamashiro ritual that reflects New Year prayers in silence and the glow of great torches

What to expect

The festival spans several days and includes rituals, a procession of great torches, agricultural rites, and tug-of-war.

At Hōsono Shrine, visitors can watch the procession of great torches, but the rituals in the sacred rice field, the site of the rites, are not open to the public.

At Wakudeno Shrine, the first day features the Gate Ceremony and great torches, while the second day includes the offering of sacred sake and rice planting.

The local custom of observing silence is also a distinctive feature of the festival.

Location and access

Address

Seika Town and Kizugawa City

Host municipality 京都府精華町 · Kizugawa City

This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.

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Dates and season

Season

At Hōsono Shrine, it is held for 3 days from the first Day of the Monkey of the new year; at Wakudeno Shrine, in mid-February

Frequency

Every year

Origins and History of Igomori Festival

The Igomori Festival at Hōsono Shrine is said to date back to the Nara period.

It is associated with a tradition that the shrine was founded after Kasuga Daimyōjin was invited there to calm the vengeful spirit of Takehaniyasuhiko.

In the past, residents are said to have stayed inside their homes during the festival to welcome the gods, living quietly without making a sound.

Although this custom is gradually fading, the festival and the tradition of honoring the gods at the start of the new year continue to be passed down.

Official information

For information about events at Hōsono Shrine, see Seika Sha’s “Hōsono Shrine’s ‘Igomori Festival.’”

Event information for Wakudeno Shrine is available on the Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Federation’s official website under “Igomori Festival (居籠祭).”

Details and dates vary by venue, so check the relevant shrine’s information before visiting.