Nagatoro’s abstinence ritual, alive in the Arakawa River misogi and shared meal at the hall
Shōjō at Kōjindō
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Nagatoro Kamiku
- Area
- Saitama Prefecture・Nagatoro Town(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.
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
Shōjō at Kōjindō, passed down in Nagatoro Kamiku, is a local event documented as involving in the Arakawa River and a shared meal between kami and people at the hall. It is also designated a Nagatoro Town intangible folk cultural property.
About Shōjō at Kōjindō
Shōjō at Kōjindō is an event passed down in Nagatoro Kamiku, Nagatoro, Nagatoro Town, Saitama Prefecture.
Nagatoro Town’s cultural property list states that it was designated a town intangible folk cultural property in Heisei 16 March 25.
Folk survey records describe the event as one in which men observe a period of abstinence, enter the Arakawa River to perform misogi, and eat at the hall.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the men’s period of abstinence, misogi in the Arakawa River, and the meal held at the hall.
The records describe entering the water and sharing a meal at the hall as part of a single event.
The meal is described as a shared meal between kami and people, making the connection between purification and eating a distinctive feature.
Nagatoro’s abstinence ritual, alive in the Arakawa River misogi and shared meal at the hall
What to expect
In the documented event, the men first observe a period of abstinence, then enter the Arakawa River to perform misogi.
After that, they eat at the hall.
This meal is described as a shared meal between kami and people, and is presented as a central part of the event rather than a simple gathering to eat.
Specific start times and the detailed order of events throughout the day are not provided.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Nagatoro Kamiku (Nagatoro Town)
- Train and bus
JR Shōnan-Shinjuku Line / Takasaki Line: Ikebukuro Station → Kumagaya Station / Chichibu Railway: Kumagaya Station → Nogami Station
- By car
Hanazono Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway → National Route 140 → toward Chichibu
Address Nagatoro Kamiku (Nagatoro Town)
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 Saitama Prefecture / Nagatoro Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
埼玉県立自然の博物館
埼玉県長瀞町にある自然史博物館
長瀞町郷土資料館
埼玉県長瀞町にある博物館
Origins and History of Shōjō at Kōjindō
The available sources do not state when Shōjō at Kōjindō originated or was established.
Nagatoro Town designated the event a town intangible folk cultural property in Heisei 16 March 25.
Folk survey and exhibition records created between Heisei 23 and 24 describe the men’s period of abstinence, misogi in the Arakawa River, and a shared meal between kami and people at the hall.
Official information
Nagatoro Town Hall’s “Cultural Property List” includes Shōjō at Kōjindō as a town-designated intangible folk cultural property.
The listing gives its location as Nagatoro Kamiku and its designation date as Heisei 16 March 25.
Shōjō at Kōjindō at a Glance
Shōjō at Kōjindō is an intangible folk cultural property designated by Nagatoro Town and passed down in Nagatoro Kamiku.
Records describe men observing a period of abstinence, performing misogi in the Arakawa River, and sharing a meal with the kami at the hall.
The date of the event in 2026 and how the public can participate have not been confirmed, so check whether an event notice is available before planning a visit.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
