A traditional event in which people from Ise haul sacred timber to support the Shikinen Sengu
Ise’s “Okihiki” Event
The 2026 edition of Ise’s “Okihiki” Event has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 陸曳：2026/05/08 〜 2026/06/13Ended川曳：2026/07/25 〜 2026/08/02Ended
- Season / frequency
- Two years: 7 and 6 years before the year of the Shikinen Sengu at Ise Jingu / It takes place in connection with the Shikinen Sengu, which is held every 20 years
- Location
- Around the Inner and Outer Shrines of Ise Jingu
- Area
- Mie Prefecture・Ise City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train + connecting 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The “Okihiki” event involves people from Ise transporting, according to ancient customs, sacred timber intended for the Shikinen Sengu at Ise Jingu. The Kawa-biki takes place at the Inner Shrine, and the Riku-biki at the Outer Shrine.
About Ise’s “Okihiki” Event
Ise’s “Okihiki” is a religious event in which people from Ise transport sacred timber for the Shikinen Sengu at Ise Jingu.
At the Inner Shrine, the timber is towed along the Isuzu River in the Kawa-biki; at the Outer Shrine, it is hauled overland in the Riku-biki.
Long-standing customs and rituals are passed down through generations, and the event is cherished as an important part of Ise’s local culture.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース / 伊勢の「お木曳き」行事｜伊勢市公式ホームページ
Festival highlights
Highlights include the Outer Shrine’s Riku-biki, in which a cart carrying sacred timber is hauled overland, and the Inner Shrine’s Kawa-biki, in which the timber is transported on the Isuzu River.
The hauling methods differ between the Inner and Outer Shrines, letting you compare river and land processions within the same event.
It is a major offering event supporting the Sengu at Ise Jingu, with participation from local residents and worshippers from across Japan.
Source: 御木曳行事｜遷宮ニュース｜第63回神宮式年遷宮｜式年遷宮｜伊勢神宮
A traditional event in which people from Ise haul sacred timber to support the Shikinen Sengu
What to expect
During the event, participants haul sacred timber intended for the Shikinen Sengu into the precincts of both shrines, following ancient customs.
At the Outer Shrine, the timber is hauled overland using a timber-hauling cart; at the Inner Shrine, the Isuzu River is used for the Kawa-biki.
Since the hauling schedule is set by group and area, check the detailed dates for each session before visiting.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around the Inner and Outer Shrines of Ise Jingu.
The Kawa-biki takes place on the Isuzu River at the Inner Shrine, while the Riku-biki at the Outer Shrine uses a timber-hauling cart.
Event venue 三重県伊勢市 伊勢神宮内宮
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Riku-biki
2026/05/08〜2026/06/13
- Kawa-biki
2026/07/25〜2026/08/02
2026 Event Information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the Riku-biki was scheduled from May 8 to June 13, and the Kawa-biki from July 25 to August 2.
Since the Riku-biki and Kawa-biki take place at different times, check the schedule for the type of hauling you want to see.
The detailed hauling dates for each group can be found in the published schedule.
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 Mie Prefecture / Ise City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
ともいきの国 伊勢忍者キングダム
三重県伊勢市にあるテーマパーク
ゼロ距離水族館伊勢シーパラダイス
日本の水族館
マコンデ美術館
三重県伊勢市にある美術館
二見興玉神社
三重県伊勢市にある神社
伊勢神宮
日本の天照大御神を祀る最高位の神社
倭姫宮
三重県伊勢市楠部町にある神社
写真：No machine-readable author provided. N yotarou assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
土宮
三重県伊勢市豊川町にある神社
多賀宮
三重県伊勢市豊川町にある神社
月夜見宮
三重県伊勢市宮後にある神社
月讀宮
三重県伊勢市中村町にある神社
猿田彦神社
三重県伊勢市にある神社
皇大神宮
三重県伊勢市にある神社
Origins and History of Ise’s “Okihiki” Event
Okihiki has been held since ancient times as an event for transporting sacred timber in connection with the Shikinen Sengu at Ise Jingu.
According to Mie Prefecture’s cultural properties guide, this form of the event dates back to the medieval period, and it explains that the event grew out of people from the former shrine domain contributing their labor to transport construction materials.
Although the methods and organization have changed in some respects over time, the event’s basic content and form have been passed down.
Source: Ise’s “Okihiki” Event
Official information
The official website of the Ise Goshikinen Sengu Committee provides an overview of the Okihiki event, the hauling schedule for the Reiwa-era Okihiki, and a map showing the distribution of hauling groups.
You can also find information about events related to the Shikinen Sengu at Ise Jingu.
Source: 伊勢御遷宮委員会
Ise’s “Okihiki” Event at a Glance
Ise’s “Okihiki” is a religious hauling event passed down in Ise, in which sacred timber for the Shikinen Sengu is transported to Ise Jingu.
It has two forms: the Inner Shrine’s Kawa-biki and the Outer Shrine’s Riku-biki, each hauling the timber by river or overland.
In 2026, the schedule was announced for the period from May to August.
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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