A festival to visit Kotohira Shrine, dedicated to the Dragon Deity, in Kawajiri, Sagamihara
Kotohira Shrine Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Kotohira Shrine
- Area
- Kanagawa Prefecture・Sagamihara City(From Tokyo: approx. 30 min–1 h · 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.
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Spring Grand Festival and Autumn Grand Festival are held at Kotohira Shrine in Kawajiri, Midori Ward, Sagamihara City. This festival offers a chance to visit while experiencing the shrine’s history, said to date back to the first year of the Bunka era (1804), and the natural surroundings of Mount Ryūgo.
About Kotohira Shrine Festival
The Kotohira Shrine Festival is a festival associated with Kotohira Shrine, located in Kawajiri, Midori Ward, Sagamihara City.
Kotohira Shrine is known as a shrine dedicated to the Dragon Deity and Water Deity. It is said to have originated when local people welcomed the spirit of Kotohira Shrine in Shikoku in the first year of the Bunka era (1804).
There is also a spring on the grounds, making this a place where local beliefs and nature are intertwined.
The 2026 event schedule lists the Spring Grand Festival and Autumn Grand Festival.
Source: 金刀比羅宮【相模原市緑区】｜体験・観光スポット ｜【公式】神奈川県のお出かけ・観光・旅行サイト「観光かながわNOW」
Festival highlights
Highlights include the grounds of Kotohira Shrine, dedicated to the Dragon Deity and Water Deity, and the nature-rich approach leading to it.
Within the main is a spring said never to run dry, even during 100 days of drought.
The approach along the ridge of Mount Ryūgo is surrounded by mixed woodland, offering scenic views in seasons of fresh greenery and fallen leaves.
You can visit the shrine on festival days in conjunction with the Spring Grand Festival or Autumn Grand Festival.
A festival to visit Kotohira Shrine, dedicated to the Dragon Deity, in Kawajiri, Sagamihara
What to expect
The 2026 event schedule for Kotohira Shrine lists the Spring Grand Festival for April 10 and the Autumn Grand Festival for October 10.
At the festival, you can visit the grounds of Kotohira Shrine and spend time paying your respects at the shrine, where the enshrined deities are worshipped.
For specific details about the event proceedings, offerings, and activities for the general public, please check the information announced separately.
When visiting the shrine, also take care on the route to the grounds, which includes mountain paths and stairs.
Source: ⛩金刀比羅宮｜神奈川県相模原市緑区 - 八百万の神
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kotohira Shrine (4456 Kawajiri, Midori Ward, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture).
- Train and bus
It is a 36-minute walk from Takaosanguchi Station and a 46-minute walk from Takao Station.
It is a 9-minute walk from the Oto bus stop. Routes including Hara 21, Hara 25, and Hashi 16 are listed.
- By car
It is about 15 minutes by car from the Sagamihara Interchange on the Ken-O Expressway.
- Parking
Kotohira Shrine has no dedicated parking lot.
You can use the nearby Shiroyama Lake Walking Facility Community Plaza, but its hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. from April to September, and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. from October to March.
The approach has a series of steep stairs.
Address 4456 Kawajiri, Midori Ward, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Dates and season
The 2026 event schedule lists the Spring Grand Festival for April 10 (Friday) and the Autumn Grand Festival for October 10 (Saturday).
An event related to the Autumn Grand Festival, the eve-of-festival observance for the annual festival, is listed for October 9.
The annual festival, shrine procession, and departure of the are listed for October 10.
Please check the details separately for event times and information for the general public.
Source: 金刀比羅宮 | 令和8年〔2026〕金刀比羅宮の年間行事
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 Kanagawa Prefecture / Sagamihara City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The approach to Kotohira Shrine has steep stairs, so it is best to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Opening hours for nearby parking vary by season. After 5 p.m., the parking lot and Shiroyama Power Plant are closed.
The parking lot cannot be used at night, and passage through the power plant grounds is also prohibited.
Conditions on the day of the festival may differ from usual, so allow plenty of time.
Nearby attractions
Kotohira Shrine is located on Mount Ryūgo, east of Lake Shiroyama. Nearby, visitors can enjoy the natural scenery of Lake Shiroyama and views along the approach.
The grounds offer expansive views, with the buildings of central Tokyo and Yokohama visible in the distance.
The Shiroyama Lake Walking Facility Community Plaza is listed as a nearby parking option.
If you plan to walk around the area along with attending the festival, be mindful of the steep stairs and seasonal opening hours.
亀ヶ池八幡宮
神奈川県相模原市中央区にある神社
氷川神社
神奈川県相模原市中央区にある神社
神明大神宮
神奈川県相模原市緑区にある神社
Origins and History of Kotohira Shrine Festival
Kotohira Shrine is said to have originated when local people welcomed the spirit of Kotohira Shrine in Shikoku and enshrined it here in the first year of the Bunka era (1804).
Since then, it has been revered locally as a shrine dedicated to the Dragon Deity and Water Deity, and has become known as a deity of protection from misfortune and good fortune.
There is a spring on the grounds said never to run dry, even during drought, offering a sense of the area’s water-related beliefs.
The 2026 event schedule lists the Spring Grand Festival and Autumn Grand Festival.
Kotohira Shrine Festival at a Glance
The Kotohira Shrine Festival comprises events such as the Spring Grand Festival and Autumn Grand Festival held at Kotohira Shrine in Kawajiri, Midori Ward, Sagamihara City.
The shrine is said to have begun when the spirit of Kotohira Shrine in Shikoku was welcomed here in the first year of the Bunka era (1804), and it is revered as a place dedicated to the Dragon Deity and Water Deity.
The 2026 event schedule lists the Spring Grand Festival for April 10 and the Autumn Grand Festival for October 10.
The approach has steep stairs, and there is no dedicated parking lot, so take transportation conditions into account when visiting.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/10/19
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