Kokuonsai

Festival highlights

A key feature of Kokuonsai is its rotating system: rather than being tied to one shrine, multiple shrines take turns hosting the festival.

Shrines in Kakogawa and Takasago, as well as Akashi, Himeji, Inami, and Harima, are members.

Since the shrine to visit changes depending on the host location, one of the festival’s highlights is how it is passed down in connection with shrines across the region.

A spring rotating festival connecting Hyogo’s shrines and praying for the region’s peace and prosperity

What to expect

At Kokuonsai, one of the member shrines takes its turn hosting an extraordinary grand festival.

Details of the proceedings and offerings vary by host shrine and should be checked with each shrine, but the festival as a whole is organized jointly by multiple shrines.

If you plan to attend, check which shrine is hosting that year and watch the rites at the venue shrine.

Location and access

Address

Kakogawa, Takasago, Himeji, Akashi, Inami, and Harima

Host municipality 兵庫県加古川市、高砂市、姫路市、明石市、稲美町、播磨町

This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.

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Dates and season

Season

Every spring (either from late March to early May)

Frequency

Every year

Origins and History of Kokuonsai

Kokuonsai is said to have begun against the backdrop of the great famine of Tenpo 4 (1833).

Local priests, concerned about the decline in public morale, gathered and formed Haraikō, an association of shrines, and held an extraordinary grand festival. This is considered the festival’s origin.

It continued as a rotating festival with multiple member shrines, and 22 shrines are currently members.

Kokuonsai at a Glance

Kokuonsai is an extraordinary grand festival held in rotation by multiple shrines in the former Kako and former Inami districts of Hyogo Prefecture.

It began against the backdrop of the great famine of Tenpo 4 (1833) and has been passed down as a festival praying for the region’s prosperity and peace.