A Maebashi Tori no Ichi festival featuring prayers to the Yatagarasu and dedicated performances
Maebashi Otorisai Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- The first Tori day in November each year / Every year
- Location
- Grounds of Kumano Shrine
- Area
- Gunma Prefecture・Maebashi City(From Tokyo: approx. 50 min–1 h · bullet 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
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This Tori no Ichi festival at Kumano Shrine in Maebashi features events and performances dedicated to the Yatagarasu, the shrine’s sacred crow.
About Maebashi Otorisai Festival
The Maebashi Otorisai Festival is a Tori no Ichi held on the grounds of Kumano Shrine in Chiyoda-machi, Maebashi.
It is considered one of Maebashi’s 4 major festivals and is also known affectionately as the “Tori no Ichi Festival” and “Otorisama.”
This local festival takes place at Kumano Shrine, which is associated with the Yatagarasu, and features lucky charms, religious rites, and dedicated performances.
It is held each year on the first Tori day in November.
Source: 前橋大酉祭 - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
A highlight is a special event associated with the Yatagarasu, the sacred messenger of Kumano Shrine.
On the day of the festival, the “Yatagarasu Goei” is opened, and visitors can take part in the ritual wiping of the “Yatagarasu Stone” and receive a stamp at the “Uchide no Kozuchi” (magic mallet). “Yatagarasu Goei-yaki” are also sold.
Other events include performances by the Kumano Yatagarasu Shishi Preservation Society, drumming by high school students, dedicated Yagibushi performances, and music events.
A Maebashi Tori no Ichi festival featuring prayers to the Yatagarasu and dedicated performances
What to expect
Visitors can take part in the Tori no Ichi festival rites on the grounds of Kumano Shrine and enjoy offerings and ceremonies associated with the Yatagarasu.
The annual opening of the “Yatagarasu Goei” and the ritual wiping of the “Yatagarasu Stone” are experiences unique to this festival.
Kagura, taiko drumming, Yagibushi folk music, and other musical performances are also held on the grounds, bringing together religious rites and local performing arts.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Grounds of Kumano Shrine (3-8-12 Chiyoda-machi, Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture)
- Train and bus
About a 15-minute walk from Maebashi Station and about a 5-minute walk from Chuo-Maebashi Station.
- By car
About 10 minutes toward National Route 17 from the Maebashi IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, or about 25 minutes toward Maebashi from the Maebashi-Minami IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway.
- Parking
Municipal parking lots and other facilities are available.
Address 3-8-12 Chiyoda-machi, Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture
Dates and season
It is usually held on the first Tori day in November.
The date of the first Tori day varies from year to year, so please check once the specific event date is announced.
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 Gunma Prefecture / Maebashi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
るなぱあく
群馬県前橋市にある遊園地
アーツ前橋
群馬県前橋市にある美術館
写真：photo: Qurren ( talk ) Taken with Canon IXY 430F (Digital IXUS 245 HS) / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
敷島公園
群馬県前橋市の公園
Origins and History of Maebashi Otorisai Festival
The Maebashi Otorisai Festival is said to have begun as a Tori no Ichi held in December 1898 (Meiji 31) on the grounds of Koishi Shrine in Yokoyama-machi, now part of Chiyoda-machi.
The festival was suspended when Koishi Shrine moved in 1971, but resumed in 1974 at Kumano Shrine, where it has been held in November.
Today, it is carried on as one of Maebashi’s 4 major festivals.
Official information
Maebashi City’s culture, sports, and tourism information includes an entry about the Otorisai Festival.
The festival venue is the grounds of Kumano Shrine in Chiyoda-machi, Maebashi, and the city lists the Tourism Policy Division of the Department of Industry and Economy as the contact for tourism inquiries.
Source: 文化・スポーツ・観光／前橋市
Maebashi Otorisai Festival at a Glance
The Maebashi Otorisai Festival is a local festival that brings together the Yatagarasu faith at Kumano Shrine and the traditions of Tori no Ichi.
Highlights include the annual opening of the Yatagarasu Goei and the ritual wiping of the Yatagarasu Stone, as well as dedicated performances of kagura, taiko drumming, and Yagibushi.
The exact date for 2026 is still being confirmed, but the festival is usually held on the first Tori day in November on the grounds of Kumano Shrine.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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