Narao’s event, in which a straw horse is pulled and entrusted to the flames to send away the plague god
The Sending Away of the God of Poverty and the God of Colds in Iriyamabe Narao
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- February 8
- Location
- The community center in Iriyamabe Narao and the route from the Narao district to the boundary with the Santanda district
- Area
- Nagano Prefecture・Matsumoto City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 50 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.
- Features
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
In Narao, Iriyamabe, Matsumoto City, this event held on the 8th to send away the gods of poverty and colds involves making straw horses and straw figures, and sending them away through chants and fire.
About The Sending Away of the God of Poverty and the God of Colds in Iriyamabe Narao
“The Sending Away of the God of Poverty and the God of Colds in Iriyamabe Narao” is an event held in Narao, Iriyamabe, Matsumoto City, to send away the plague god on the 8th.
On the morning of February 8, Nukaebushi is performed at the entrance gates of homes by smoldering rice husks, chili peppers, and hair.
The event is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the city and is passed down as a local folk custom.
Source: 入山辺奈良尾の貧乏神送りと風邪の神送り - 松本市ホームページ
Festival highlights
The highlights are a distinctive deity-sending ritual featuring straw horses, straw figures of a man and a woman, and a figure of a horse handler.
The straw figures are dressed in kimono, given faces drawn in ink on paper, and made to hold a stick inscribed with “Namu Amida Butsu.”
After pretending to give the straw horse kasujiru, children lead the way as they pull it along, reciting chants as they go.
Narao’s event, in which a straw horse is pulled and entrusted to the flames to send away the plague god
What to expect
In the morning, Nukaebushi is performed at the entrance gates of each home. After dinner, adult men and children gather at the community center.
While the men make straw horses and straw figures, women gathered at the toya prepare kasujiru and other items.
Once everything is ready, children lead the way as they pull the straw horse by a rope, with adults following and reciting chants. Along the way, they burn the straw horse and proceed to the boundary with the Santanda district.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Narao, Iriyamabe, Matsumoto City.
Straw horses and straw figures are made at the community center, and the procession proceeds from within the Narao district to the boundary with the neighboring Santanda district.
Address Narao, Iriyamabe, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
February 8
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 Nagano Prefecture / Matsumoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The event includes a procession in which a straw horse is pulled by a rope, as well as a scene where the straw horse is burned.
If you watch, keep your distance and follow local guidance so you do not obstruct the fire area or the procession.
As events take place in the morning and after dinner, plan which time period to visit separately.
Nearby attractions
旧開智学校
長野県松本市にある明治時代の擬洋風建築の小学校校舎。2019年に近代学校建築として初めて国宝に指定された
松本城
長野県松本市にある城
松本市四賀化石館
長野県松本市にある博物館
写真：photo: Qurren ( talk ) Taken with Canon IXY 10S / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
松本市立考古博物館
長野県松本市中山にある博物館
松本市美術館
長野県松本市にある美術館
乗鞍岳
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
Origins and History of The Sending Away of the God of Poverty and the God of Colds in Iriyamabe Narao
No specific verifiable information is available about the origins of this event or when it began.
Today, the Narao district of the Iriyamabe Santanda-Narao Residents’ Association is the owner, and the event is passed down as a local folk custom.
On February 8, 1996, it was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Matsumoto City.
Official information
Matsumoto City describes “The Sending Away of the God of Poverty and the God of Colds in Iriyamabe Narao” as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the city.
The event’s described activities include Nukaebushi, making straw horses and straw figures, pretending to give the straw horse kasujiru, reciting chants, and burning the straw horse.
For inquiries, contact the Cultural Properties Section of the Matsumoto City Cultural Affairs Division.
The Sending Away of the God of Poverty and the God of Colds in Iriyamabe Narao at a Glance
The Sending Away of the God of Poverty and the God of Colds in Iriyamabe Narao is a local event held on February 8 to send away the plague god.
Straw horses and straw figures are made, and after pretending to give the straw horse kasujiru, the procession, led by children, walks to the edge of the district and burns the straw horse.
This traditional folk custom of Narao is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Matsumoto City.
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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