A night in Hazume, with taiko, a conch shell, and 3-meter torches moving through the village
Hazume Mushioshi
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- July second Sunday / Every year
- Location
- Takeru-no-O Shrine
- Area
- Mie Prefecture・Matsusaka 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 Hazume Mushioshi, passed down in Hazume, Matsusaka City, is a dedication at Takeru-no-O Shrine, with and conch-shell sounds and torchlight moving through the village. You can see how the community carries on its traditions, from the children playing taiko to the taiko dances at night.
About Hazume Mushioshi
The Hazume Mushioshi is a traditional event held at Takeru-no-O Shrine in Hazume, Matsusaka City, and is designated an intangible folk cultural property by the city.
The event is dedicated alongside the summer festival’s taiko dances, and local people keep it alive using taiko and torches.
The procession, with children playing taiko and adults carrying torches through the village, offers a glimpse of a festival deeply rooted in the community across generations.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the approximately 3-meter-long torch, made by wrapping wheat straw around a rapeseed-stalk core and attaching myoga leaves.
At night, torches move through the village to the sound of kane bells, a conch shell, and taiko, skimming along the rice paddy ridges.
At the gate of Takeru-no-O Shrine, the torches are gathered in one place and burned, while the taiko dances continue in the until late at night.
A night in Hazume, with taiko, a conch shell, and 3-meter torches moving through the village
What to expect
The event begins in the morning, when children wearing festival gather at the head organizer’s house and dance as they play a large taiko mounted on a cart.
Around 7:30 p.m., the taiko dance begins to the sound of a conch shell and kane bells, and the procession makes its way along village roads led by event organizers.
After performing dances at the crossroads in each seko area, the group heads to the and continues the taiko dances in the shrine grounds even after burning the torches.
How to take part
Children are known to take part in the morning taiko performance and the children’s mushioshi.
However, no information is provided on whether visitors can join the procession or dedication, or whether general participation is open.
If you plan to watch, please do so quietly from designated areas so as not to disrupt the event, which is part of local tradition.
Source: 三重県神社庁教化委員会 » 手力男神社
Location and access
- Venue and address
Takeru-no-O Shrine (562 Hazume, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture).
The procession travels from the head organizer’s house along village roads and rice paddy ridges to the gate of Takeru-no-O Shrine.
Address 562 Hazume, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
July second Sunday
- Frequency
Every year
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 / Matsusaka City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The main events begin around 7:30 p.m., and the taiko dances continue at the jinja until late at night, so viewing takes place after dark.
Torches travel along village roads and rice paddy ridges, and are gathered and burned at the jinja gate, so be careful not to get too close to the flames or procession.
Please watch from a place where you will not disrupt the local dedication, including its sounds and lights.
Nearby attractions
松坂城
三重県松阪市にある城
Origins and History of Hazume Mushioshi
The Hazume Mushioshi is said to be a traditional event dating back to around the mid-Edo period.
Children began taking part around 30 years ago in the mushioshi, which had previously been performed only by adults.
The event was temporarily suspended during the Greater East Asia War, but revived in Showa 40; today it is organized by a preservation society formed by parishioners of Takeru-no-O Shrine.
Source: 三重県：甚目の虫送り：松阪市
Official information
The cultural information on Matsusaka City’s official website introduces the timing, venue, and program of the Hazume Mushioshi.
The event information for Takeru-no-O Shrine also provides details and history of the mushioshi organized by the preservation society.
Hazume Mushioshi at a Glance
The Hazume Mushioshi is a traditional event dedicated at Takeru-no-O Shrine in Hazume, Matsusaka City.
It begins in the morning with children playing taiko, and at night taiko, kane bells, a conch shell, and torches about 3 meters long make their way through the village.
A distinctive feature is that the torches are burned at the jinja gate, while the taiko dances continue until late at night.
The event, which dates back to around the mid-Edo period, has been passed down by the local preservation society and residents.
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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