An ancient mountain deity festival preserved in nighttime Kowaura, brought to life by a bird performer and norito
Kowaura Yamagami Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Kowaura
- Area
- Mie Prefecture・Minamiise Town(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train + connecting 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.
- Features
- Last updated
- 2026/10/21
The Kowaura Yamagami Festival, passed down in Kowaura, Minamiise Town, retains ancient customs almost in their original form. A bird performer appears in the nighttime ceremony, which is distinguished by its unique and , as well as okoze fish.
About Kowaura Yamagami Festival
The Kowaura Yamagami Festival is a festival honoring the mountain deity, passed down in Kowaura, Minamiise Town, Mie Prefecture.
It is described as preserving ancient customs and continuing almost in its original form.
Its features include being held at night, the appearance of a bird performer, norito said to have no parallel, an unusual shimenawa, and okoze fish considered essential to the festival.
Source: 文化財の紹介／南伊勢町
Festival highlights
Highlights include the nighttime timing of the festival and the bird performer who appears during it.
The norito is said to have no parallel, and a distinctive shimenawa is also used.
The okoze fish is also considered essential to the festival. The combination of nighttime ceremonies, a bird performer, norito, a shimenawa, and okoze fish makes the Kowaura Yamagami Festival distinctive.
An ancient mountain deity festival preserved in nighttime Kowaura, brought to life by a bird performer and norito
What to expect
The festival takes place at night, and a bird performer appears in the ceremony.
The recitation of norito and the use of an unusual shimenawa are also major features of the Kowaura Yamagami Festival.
Okoze fish are also considered essential to the festival, which preserves ancient practices unlike those of typical festivals.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kowaura, Minamiise Town
Source: 町指定文化財の一覧／南伊勢町
Address Kowaura, Minamiise Town
Origins and History of Kowaura Yamagami Festival
The origins and date of establishment of the Kowaura Yamagami Festival are unknown.
However, records describe the festival as preserving ancient customs and continuing almost in its original form.
In 1970, it was designated a town cultural property of Minamiise Town and recognized as an intangible folk cultural property passed down by the Kowaura Association.
Official information
The Minamiise Town official website introduces the distinctive features of the Kowaura Yamagami Festival in its “Introduction to Cultural Properties” section.
The list of town-designated cultural properties includes it as an intangible folk cultural property designated on March 1, 1970.
Kowaura Yamagami Festival at a Glance
The Kowaura Yamagami Festival is a festival in Kowaura, Minamiise Town, designated as a town cultural property.
Held at night, it has distinctive features that are rare even within the town, including a bird performer, unique norito, an unusual shimenawa, and okoze fish.
Its origins are unknown, but the fact that it preserves ancient customs almost in their original form reflects how the community has passed the festival down through generations.
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 Mie Prefecture / Minamiise Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/10/21
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