Onbashira Festival at Iriyama-be Hashikura Suwa Shrine

This traditional event takes place in Hashikura, Iriyama-be, Matsumoto City. Parishioners bring the sacred Onbashira trees down from the mountain, shape them, and erect them at the shrine.

About Onbashira Festival at Iriyama-be Hashikura Suwa Shrine

The Onbashira Festival at Iriyama-be Hashikura Suwa Shrine is a festival of sacred Onbashira trees passed down in Hashikura, Iriyama-be, Matsumoto City.

The festival is preserved by parishioners from the 36 households of the Hashikura Neighborhood Association, with the youth representative leading it.

It is designated a city Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, bringing together faith in the community’s tutelary deity and traditions passed down through generations.

Source: 入山辺橋倉諏訪神社の御柱祭り - 松本市ホームページ / 入山辺橋倉諏訪神社の御柱祭り - 信州の文化財 - 財団法人八十二文化財団

Festival highlights

Highlights include Yamadashi, bringing the Onbashira down from the mountain, and Satobiki, hauling them to the shrine.

The Onbashira are moved forward on 3 logs placed beneath them. Near the top of the settlement, their bark is stripped and the wood is shaped into square-sided posts.

You can observe the series of tasks shared by the community, from shaping the Onbashira to erecting them at the shrine in order, starting with the first pillar.

A community-preserved Onbashira tradition, from Yamadashi to Satobiki

What to expect

In preparation for the festival, an organizing committee is formed around the previous November, and responsibilities are assigned.

In March, the previous Onbashira are laid to rest. During the felling, the roots are dug around, and the following week, all households take part in bringing the trees down from the mountain.

Once shaped, the Onbashira are hauled to the shrine during Satobiki and erected in order.

How to take part

The festival is conducted by parishioners of Hashikura Suwa Shrine; general visitors do not take part in the proceedings.

Parishioners from the 36 households of the Hashikura Neighborhood Association make up the festival group, which is led by the youth representative.

The cultural property information says that viewing may not be possible, so you should check before visiting.

Parishioners of the Hashikura Neighborhood Association handle festival operations, including felling the sacred trees for the Onbashira, bringing them down from the mountain, shaping them, and hauling them through the village.

An organizing committee is formed around the previous November, and the various roles are assigned.

We could not confirm how to apply to participate or whether same-day participation is possible, so if you wish to view the festival or make an inquiry, it is best to contact the cultural property department in advance.

Location and access

Venue and address: Hashikura Suwa Shrine, Hashikura, Iriyama-be, Matsumoto City
Train and bus: Directions from Matsumoto Station on the JR Shinonoi Line indicate a 20-minute drive from the station.
By car: 20 minutes by car from Matsumoto Station on the JR Shinonoi Line.

Address Hashikura, Iriyama-be, Matsumoto City

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Dates and season

Season: April 29 in the Years of the Rabbit and Rooster
Frequency: Every 7 years

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 Nagano Prefecture / Matsumoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

This is a cultural property event conducted by , and it is not open to general visitors to join freely.

The cultural property information also notes that not all parts of the event may be open to visitors.

If you are considering a visit, please check in advance with the relevant cultural property administration department about whether festival viewing is permitted and whether access is restricted.

Nearby attractions

Museums · 美術館の汎用イラスト（AI生成 · 実際の施設ではありません） — Illustration for reference

飛騨山脈南部の長野県松本市と岐阜県高山市にまたがる山

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Photo and data sources

写真：Alpsdake / Public domain

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Facility data source

Origins and History of Onbashira Festival at Iriyama-be Hashikura Suwa Shrine

The Onbashira Festival at Iriyama-be Hashikura Suwa Shrine is an event passed down through generations by parishioners of the Hashikura Neighborhood Association.

New Onbashira trees are brought in and erected every 7 years, in a tradition passed down as an orderly ritual of the community.

It was designated a Matsumoto City Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property on June 30, 2000.

Official information

The cultural property information on Matsumoto City’s official website gives an overview of the Onbashira Festival at Iriyama-be Hashikura Suwa Shrine, its location, participants, and the process of erecting the Onbashira.

The contact is the Cultural Property Section, Cultural Assets Division, Culture and Tourism Department, Matsumoto City.

It can be used to ask about festival viewing or the event’s status as a cultural property.