Kasuga Hongo District Dosojin Festival

Festival highlights

A highlight is the sight of mikoshi decorated with lanterns bearing children's names and other decorations making their way through the district.

6 mikoshi travel through the district at night, their lanterns lighting up the winter festival.

A tradition also remains of households welcoming a boy preparing lanterns as an offering to Dosojin, while households welcoming a girl prepare hiichi.

Source: 春日本郷地区道祖神祭り / 長野県 -【JAPAN 47 GO】 / 市長の日々是好日（平成29年1月） | 佐久市ホームページ

Kasuga Hongo's Dosojin Festival, with lantern-lit mikoshi traveling through the winter night

What to expect

During the festival, children work together to build an “Okamori hut” and enshrine Dosojin.

Afterward, they visit homes to collect candy and money, then spend the night in the hut.

Baking mochi over the irori hearth and spending time eating mandarins and sweets are also part of the festival.

During the mikoshi procession, you can watch a parade illuminated by lanterns.

How to take part

At the heart of the festival, local children take part in building the hut and visiting homes.

However, no information is available about how visitors from outside the area can join the events or whether there are hands-on activities for general visitors.

If you wish to observe, please respect local traditions and avoid obstructing the procession or residents.

Location and access

Venue and address

Kasuga, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture (Hongo district).

By car

It is a 25-minute drive from the Saku-Minami IC on the Chubu-Odan Expressway.

Address Kasuga, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture (Hongo district)

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Dates and season

Season

January 3

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

As this festival features a nighttime procession and glowing lanterns, please watch your surroundings and footing while viewing it.

It is important to watch from a place that does not obstruct the procession or the movements of local residents.

Practices associated with the Okamori hut and Dosojin are important local traditions.

When taking photos or viewing the festival, please take care not to hinder the participants.

Nearby attractions

Parks and gardensSaku City

駒場公園

長野県佐久市の都市公園

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Kasuga Hongo District Dosojin Festival

The Kasuga Hongo District Dosojin Festival is a traditional folk event passed down since the Edo period.

The tradition of the Dosojin-shrine hut and children visiting homes in the area is still passed down today.

Locally, the event is preserved as a way to pray for children's growth and health, good harvests, and peace.

It is designated an intangible folk cultural property of Saku City.

Official information

Information from the Saku City Tourism Association introduces the venue, events, schedule, and access for the Kasuga Hongo District Dosojin Festival.

The Economic, Construction and Environment Section of the Mochizuki Branch Office of Saku City is listed as a contact.

The Saku City designated cultural properties list includes it as a city-designated intangible folk cultural property.

Kasuga Hongo District Dosojin Festival at a Glance

The Kasuga Hongo District Dosojin Festival is a winter festival known for its hut dedicated to Dosojin, children visiting homes in the area, and a procession of 6 mikoshi decorated with lanterns.

Prayers are offered for the healthy growth of children, longevity and good health, abundant harvests, and peace throughout the land.

It has been passed down by local residents as an intangible folk cultural property of Saku City since the Edo period.