Miare Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the ritual procession of sacred boats carrying mikoshi and numerous other vessels travelling across the sea.

A fleet from Munakata’s seven coastal communities accompanies 3 sacred boats carrying the mikoshi of each of the Three Goddesses of Munakata as they travel across the sea.

A magnificent sight of the sea and faith coming together, as a fleet of several hundred fishing boats crosses the Genkai Sea.

A maritime ritual procession across the Genkai Sea, with a fleet linking the Three Goddesses

What to expect

In 2026, rites begin at Nakatsu-miya on Oshima, and a fleet leaves Oshima Port to make the maritime ritual procession to Konominato Port.

After the Churen-sai rite at Konominato Port, a land procession by car takes place, followed by a procession on foot, before entering Hetsu-miya.

A day-long ritual procession that moves from a fleet at sea to a land procession.

Source: 宗像大社 公式ホームページ | 令和８年 秋季大祭祭事日程のご案内

Location and access

Venue and address

A maritime and land ritual procession from Oshima Port via Konominato Port and Genkai Community to Munakata Taisha’s Hetsu-miya.

Train and bus

On October 1, 2026, some sections of the Fureai Bus Genkai Line BRT and the Konominato district community bus will be suspended due to traffic restrictions for the Miare Festival.

By car

Please take care around Konominato Port, Genkai Community, and the area around Munakata Taisha’s Hetsu-miya, where the day’s procession and traffic restrictions may affect travel.

Source: 10月1日「みあれ祭」交通規制に伴うふれあいバス玄海線BRT・神湊地区コミュニティバスの一部区間運休について / 福岡県宗像市公式サイト

Event venue 福岡県宗像市 大島港から神湊港を経て

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

The 2026 Miare Festival was listed as scheduled for October 1 (Thursday).

The schedule called for departure from Oshima Port at 9:35 a.m. for the maritime ritual procession, arrival at Konominato Port at 10:40 a.m., and entry into Munakata Taisha’s Hetsu-miya at 12:10 p.m. after the land procession.

Other rites of the Autumn Grand Festival take place around this date, but the main ritual procession of the Miare Festival is held on this day.

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Tips for your visit

On October 1, 2026, traffic restrictions will be in place for the Miare Festival, and some sections of the Fureai Bus Genkai Line BRT and Konominato district community bus will be suspended.

The procession continues overland from Konominato Port to Munakata Taisha’s Hetsu-miya after the maritime procession, so please be mindful of the procession’s progress when travelling.

Please plan where to watch and how to get around, taking into account any transport changes on the day.

Nearby attractions

Temples and shrinesMunakata City

宗像大社

福岡県宗像市にある神社

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写真：Saigen Jiro / CC0

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Facility data source

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 Miare Festival

Miare Festival is a festival rite rooted in the connection between the Three Goddesses of Munakata enshrined at Munakata Taisha.

As a rite in which Ichikishimahime-no-Kami, enshrined at Hetsu-miya, welcomes her elder sister deities Tagorihime-no-Kami and Tagitsuhime-no-Kami, a maritime ritual procession links the three shrines.

The history of the region, where the Munakata clan is said to have been known as a seafaring people since ancient times and to have been involved in voyages and trade with the continent, also speaks to this festival’s connection with the sea.

Official information

The 2026 Autumn Grand Festival schedule is available on Munakata Taisha’s official website.

You can check the day’s schedule, including the Miare Festival timings, the maritime procession, and the land procession after arrival at Konominato Port.

Information on bus service suspensions due to traffic restrictions is also available on Munakata City’s official website.

Miare Festival at a Glance

Miare Festival is a maritime ritual procession held every year on October 1 as part of Munakata Taisha’s Autumn Grand Festival, which honors the Three Goddesses of Munakata.

3 sacred boats and numerous other vessels travel across the sea, then a land procession proceeds from Konominato Port to Hetsu-miya.

In 2026, the festival was held on October 1 (Thursday), and partial bus service suspensions due to traffic restrictions were also announced.