Naburi no Ometsuki

Festival highlights

Highlights include dashi bearing chōjirushi banners as they make their way through the Naburi settlement, and the improvised plays associated with the festival.

At Ometsuki, performances in the style of jikyogen are staged using props for male and female roles, with themes such as social issues of the time.

As its name suggests, which derives from performing on the spur of the moment, this traditional art is characterized by its quick wit and improvisation.

Source: 東北歴史博物館 宮城の無形文化遺産

Naburi’s dashi and improvised plays carry on hopes for fire prevention

What to expect

Traditionally, dashi parade through the settlement, with each group performing improvised plays along the way.

The plays take up themes such as social issues and traditionally end with auspicious words.

“Ometsuki” has been suspended due to factors including a shortage of dashi bearers, and only the religious rites are now held.

How to take part

No information is provided about participation requirements for joining the groups responsible for festival performances or as a parishioner.

Visitors are permitted, and the general public can observe the religious rites.

Please note that “Ometsuki,” including its improvised plays, is currently suspended.

Location and access

Venue and address

Naburi District, Ogatsu Town, Ishinomaki City.

The festival area extends from east to west Nabu-ri, reaching Kohama.

By car

Head there from Kahoku IC on the Sanriku Expressway.

Source: おめつき（宮城県指定無形民俗文化財） | 一般社団法人 石巻観光協会

Address Naburi, Ogatsu Town, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season

Every year on January 24 (Gregorian calendar)

Frequency

Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

At present, only the religious rites are held; the improvised plays of “Ome-tsuki” and the dashi procession have been suspended.

What visitors can see may vary from year to year, so it is advisable to check whether the rites will be held before visiting.

Past notices have also stated that the event is canceled in rainy weather.

Source: おめつき '26.1.24（土） ※神事のみ開催｜観光・旅行情報サイト 宮城まるごと探訪

Nearby attractions

Museums and art museumsIshinomaki City

石ノ森萬画館

宮城県石巻市にある石ノ森章太郎の記念館

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写真：gleam_df / CC BY 2.0(resized and reformatted)

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Temples and shrinesIshinomaki City

黄金山神社

宮城県石巻市金華山にある神社

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写真：Geomr / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)

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Parks and gardensHachinohe City · Hashikami Town · 久慈市 · 山田町 · 釜石市 · Rikuzentakata City · 野田村 · Miyako City · 岩泉町 · 田野畑村 · 大槌町 · 大船渡市 · Fudai Village · 女川町 · Ishinomaki City · Tome City · 南三陸町 · 気仙沼市

三陸復興国立公園

東北地方の三陸沿岸を区域とする国立公園

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写真：Junpei Satoh / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Naburi no Ometsuki

Naburi no Ometsuki is said to have begun as a festival to prevent fires from recurring, against the backdrop of a major fire and famine in 1781.

In 1783, stone monuments to Akiba Daigongen, the deity of fire prevention, were erected at the eastern and western entrances to Naburi, and a festival was held on the 24th day of the New Year.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, population decline and a shortage of successors have led to the suspension of the improvised plays from 2020.

Official information

Naburi no Ometsuki is an intangible folk cultural property designated by Miyagi Prefecture.

The preservation association is said to be the Ogatsu Town Naburi Akiba Shrine Parishioners’ Association.

Information on preserving the festival and its current status can be found in cultural property introductions by Miyagi Prefecture and the Tohoku History Museum.

Naburi no Ometsuki at a Glance

Naburi no Ometsuki is a traditional event in Naburi District, Ishinomaki City, with prayers for fire prevention, a good catch, and household safety.

Its defining features are the dashi procession and improvised plays based on social issues, but “Ometsuki” has been suspended since 2020, and only the religious rites are held today.

Visitors are permitted, according to the available information.