A Matoi festival where the mikoshi and dashi of three shrines bring the community together
Matoi Jinja Reisai (Gozu Tenno Shrine)
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- April, 4th Sunday / Every year
- Location
- The Matoi district, including Matoi (the three host shrines and the different districts)
- Area
- Kanagawa Prefecture・Hiratsuka 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Matoi Jinja is a local festival involving the three shrines and their in the Matoi district of Hiratsuka City. The and gather at the shrine taking its turn as host, undergo a purification rite, and make their way through the different districts.
About Matoi Jinja Reisai (Gozu Tenno Shrine)
The Matoi Jinja Reisai is a local festival passed down through the Matoi district of Hiratsuka City.
Matoi was formed in Meiji 9 through the merger of Hisamatsu, Matsunobu, and Tomoushi villages, and each former village developed its own shrine and ujiko community.
The festival dates of the three shrines are now unified, and the event is also known as the “Matoi Three Shrine Festival.”
This event offers a chance to experience the ties between the three shrines, including Matoi Jinja, and the local ujiko organizations.
Source: 纏神社 - 神奈川県平塚市 | Omairi(おまいり)
Festival highlights
A highlight is seeing the mikoshi and dashi of the three shrines gather at the shrine taking its turn as host.
Each shrine sends out 1 taiko dashi and 1 children’s mikoshi. A dashi and children’s mikoshi also join from the Kawai district, whose ujiko belong to Matsunobu Jinja.
The mikoshi and dashi gather in one place and undergo a purification rite, reflecting the ties between the three shrines and the different districts.
A Matoi festival where the mikoshi and dashi of three shrines bring the community together
What to expect
During the festival, the mikoshi and dashi from each shrine gather at the shrine taking its turn as host each year.
After the purification rite there, they make their way through the different districts in the morning.
In addition to the three shrines—Matoi Jinja, Matsunobu Jinja, and Yasaka Jinja—a dashi and children’s mikoshi also set out from the Kawai district. The event therefore travels through the community rather than taking place only within .
Location and access
- Venue and address
The Matoi district, including Matoi Jinja (89 Matoi, Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture).
During the festival, the mikoshi and dashi gather at the shrine taking its turn as host, then make their way through the districts.
Address 89 Matoi, Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture (Matoi Jinja)
Dates and season
- Season
April, 4th Sunday
- Frequency
Every year
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 / Hiratsuka City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
三嶋神社
神奈川県平塚市にある神社
Sadori Shrine
神奈川県平塚市にある神社
平塚八幡宮
神奈川県平塚市にある神社
Origins and History of Matoi Jinja Reisai (Gozu Tenno Shrine)
The history of the Matoi district begins in Meiji 9, when Hisamatsu, Matsunobu, and Tomoushi villages merged to form Matoi.
Even after the merger, the shrine and ujiko communities of the former villages remained intact, and the festival dates originally differed from shrine to shrine.
Later, the festival date was unified across Matoi, leading to the current arrangement in which the three shrines take turns hosting.
Matoi Jinja Reisai (Gozu Tenno Shrine) at a Glance
The Matoi Jinja Reisai is a local festival centered on the connections between the three shrines in the Matoi district and their ujiko.
A taiko dashi and a children’s mikoshi set out from each shrine. After a purification rite at the shrine taking its turn as host, they make their way through the different districts in the morning.
The festival date is now the same throughout Matoi.
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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