Kotohira Shrine Reisai

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the mikoshi procession, in which around 120 young people carry an ornate mikoshi weighing about 1.5 tons by hand.

A yakko procession, shrine maidens, shishi, Sarutahiko, gagaku musicians, and children in festival attire follow, with dashi from the four festival districts bringing up the rear.

The procession, which includes flutes, taiko, metal staffs, tekomai dancers, and a children’s mikoshi, stretches for about 1 kilometer. In the evening, the festival districts also take part in a “showdown of sound and strength.”

Three traditional days as grand mikoshi and dashi bring color to the streets of Nemuro

What to expect

The festival unfolds with the Yoimiya Festival, the main festival, and the mikoshi’s outbound and return journeys.

During the main festival, the mikoshi proceeds from the shrine to the otabisho, then returns from the otabisho to the shrine the following day.

After the shrine procession, dashi from the four festival districts parade through the city. In Midori-cho, you can enjoy performances by the festival districts, visit the otabisho, and browse the street stalls in the pedestrian zone.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the mikoshi procession, dashi offering parade, and performances by the festival districts from along the route.

Organizations including the festival districts and mikoshi associations take part in the festival, and a children’s mikoshi also joins the procession.

No conditions have been published for carrying the mikoshi or taking part in festival district events. If you wish to participate as a bearer, please check with the organizers.

Location and access

Venue and address

Nemuro Konpira Shrine (1-4 Kotohira-cho, Nemuro, Hokkaido), the Midoricho Otabisho, and other locations around the city.

Train and bus

About 7 minutes by taxi from JR Nemuro Station.

Take the Hanasaki Line bus from Nemuro Station Terminal, get off at the Shiomicho bus stop, then walk about 5 minutes. The bus ride takes about 9 minutes.

By car

You can search for Nemuro Konpira Shrine in your car navigation system using its phone number: “0153-23-4458.”

From the Route 44 area, travel through the city and follow the shrine direction signs.

Parking

There is free parking for about 70 cars at Nemuro Konpira Shrine.

There is no dedicated parking for the street-stall area in Midoricho.

Parking arrangements may change during the reisai due to traffic restrictions or congestion.

Source: 根室金刀比羅神社 アクセス - 根室 金刀比羅神社ウェブサイト / 金刀比羅神社例大祭｜北海道観光｜ぐうたび北海道

Address 1-4 Kotohira-cho, Nemuro, Hokkaido

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)

The event was announced as scheduled to run from August 7 (Friday) through the 9th (Sunday) in 2026.

On the 7th, the schedule includes the Yoimiya Festival and performances by the four festival districts; on the 8th, the main festival, the outbound mikoshi procession, and performances; and on the 9th, the return mikoshi procession.

In 2026, a special procession is also planned to mark the 220th anniversary of the shrine’s founding, with the mikoshi traveling back and forth along Ekimae-dori.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Crowds and traffic restrictions are expected around the city as the mikoshi and dashi make their processions.

Please watch from outside the parade route and follow the directions of police officers and staff.

The performances and street stalls in Midori-cho can get crowded, so visitors with children should watch out for the flow of people and avoid contact with the procession.

Summer nights in Nemuro can get chilly, so bringing a light jacket is a good idea.

Nearby attractions

Views and sceneryNemuro, Hokkaido

納沙布岬灯台

北海道根室市にある灯台

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写真：Douglas P. Perkins / CC BY 3.0(resized and reformatted)

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Facility data source

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 Kotohira Shrine Reisai

The Kotohira Shrine Reisai carries on a tradition dating back to the mikoshi procession held in Meiji 21.

The current mikoshi was made in Kyoto in Showa 10 and underwent a complete restoration in Heisei 18 as part of a project commemorating the 200th anniversary of the shrine’s founding.

It was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Hokkaido in Reiwa 2 and received the Hokkaido Cultural Property Protection Merit Award in Reiwa 6.

Official information

Official information is available on the Nemuro Kotohira Shrine website.

Information is available about the reisai schedule, the mikoshi procession, the otabisho, and the mikoshi hall and festival museum.

For inquiries, contact the Kotohira Shrine office at 0153-23-4458. Hours are 9 a.m. to 17:00.

Kotohira Shrine Reisai at a Glance

The Kotohira Shrine Reisai is a historic summer festival in which a mikoshi weighing about 1.5 tons and dashi from the four festival districts parade through Nemuro.

In 2026, the Yoimiya Festival, main festival, mikoshi procession, and performances are scheduled from August 7 through the 9th. A special procession along Ekimae-dori is also planned to mark the 220th anniversary of the shrine’s founding.

You can enjoy the festival atmosphere both at the shrine and in the city center, including the performances and street stalls at the Midori-cho otabisho.