Kanazawa no Hayama-gomori

Kanazawa no Hayama-gomori, handed down in Kanazawa, Matsukawa Town, Fukushima City, is a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It welcomes the deity of Mount Hayama and prays for a good harvest and the community’s well-being through water purification and rice-planting rituals.

About Kanazawa no Hayama-gomori

Kanazawa no Hayama-gomori is a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property that has been handed down in Kanazawa, Matsukawa Town, Fukushima City.

Seclusion and agricultural rituals to welcome the deity of Mount Hayama take place mainly within the grounds of Kuro numa Shrine.

Through events involving water purification and representations of rice planting, participants pray for a good harvest the following year and for the community’s well-being in this solemn religious rite.

Only a limited part of the festival is open to the public, and it is carefully preserved as an event closely connected with the community’s faith.

Source: 福島市の文化財 -【国指定】金沢の羽山ごもり-／福島市公式ホームページ / 「金沢の羽山ごもり」祭事解説 – 松川町観光協会

Festival highlights

Highlights include Yoisaa, which prays for a successful rice planting, and the final-day Oyama-gake, a climb toward Mount Hayama.

During Yoisaa, participants collide with one another in a horse-like formation, as in a cavalry battle, to reenact rice planting.

Rice-planting songs are sung at the end, expressing the sequence of agricultural rituals.

Although only a few events are open to the public, this is a rare opportunity to experience the community’s faith up close.

Source: 金沢の羽山ごもり – 松川町観光協会

A Kanazawa religious rite that entrusts hopes for a good harvest to water purification and rice-planting rituals

What to expect

The event consists of water purification, Ogami prayers before meals, Yoisaa, gestures representing rice planting, Sanaburi, and other activities.

During the festival, participants perform water purification at Shinmei Well and offer prayers before the deity according to prescribed ritual practices.

On the final day, participants climb Mount Hayama and receive divine oracles through the Norawara about the year’s crops and possible disasters in the community.

Yoisaa also features a reenactment of rice planting, rice-planting songs, and the scattering of mandarins.

How to take part

Community members with designated roles take part in the central seclusion and water-purification rituals.

Information states that men may undergo water purification, and that the festival is not an event in which general visitors can freely participate.

Yoisaa, held on the night of the 16th, is said to be the only event that anyone in the village may watch.

Even if you wish to observe, follow local guidance and access restrictions so as not to disturb the sacred rites.

Participation in the festival’s main events follows roles and ritual practices established by the community.

It is said that men who undergo water purification may participate, and the custom of bringing one’s own rice, vegetables, and miso to eat during the festival is also mentioned.

In general, visitors can observe the publicly accessible Yoisaa.

Anyone wishing to participate should check in advance with Kuro numa Shrine or the Hayama-gomori Preservation Society.

Location and access

Venue and address: Around Kuro numa Shrine, in the Miyanomae area of Kanazawa, Matsukawa Town, Fukushima City.
Train and bus: JR金谷川駅からの案内はあります。
By car: 15 minutes by car from Fukushima-Matsukawa Smart Interchange.

Address 43 Miyanomae, Kanazawa, Matsukawa Town, Fukushima City

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Dates and season

Season: Every year, from day 16 of lunar month 11 to the 18th
Frequency: Every year

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

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Tips for your visit

Only a limited number of events are open to the public, with the main public event being Yoisaa on the evening of the 16th.

Much of the festival takes place as sacred seclusion or religious rites, so follow local instructions about where you may go and whether photography is permitted.

During Yoisaa, participants may collide forcefully, so keep a safe distance while watching.

Take care not to mistake rituals such as water purification for activities open to general visitors.

福島県の公園・庭園のスポットです。

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Photo and data sources

写真：Original uploader was BehBeh at ja.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Origins and History of Kanazawa no Hayama-gomori

Kanazawa no Hayama-gomori preserves the form of an agricultural ritual in which the deity of Mount Hayama is worshipped, the crops are divined, and a good harvest is celebrated in anticipation.

It was formerly held for 7 days starting on day 12 of lunar month 11, but is now held for 3 days, from day 16 of lunar month 11 through the 18th.

It was designated a nationally Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Showa 55.

The event retains elements of ancient folk beliefs, including water purification, divine oracles, and a reenactment of rice planting.

Official information

The Fukushima City official website introduces Kanazawa no Hayama-gomori as a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and provides its location and preservation group.

The Matsukawa Town Tourism Association also provides information about public access and event details.

A phone number for Kuro numa Shrine (Kanazawa) is listed as a contact number.