A traditional shinji at Mishima Jinja, entrusting the year ahead in Akeno to porridge-filled bamboo tubes
Mishima Jinja’s Otutsu-gayu Shinji
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year, from February 16 through the 17th / Every year
- Location
- Mishima (Asao District)
- Area
- Yamanashi Prefecture・Hokuto City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · limited express)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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
Mishima Jinja’s Otutsu-gayu is a traditional event in Asao, Akeno-cho, Hokuto City, in which the fortunes of farming and the yield of crops for each month are divined from the amount of porridge packed inside bamboo tubes.
About Mishima Jinja’s Otutsu-gayu Shinji
Mishima Jinja’s Otutsu-gayu Shinji is a form of kayu-ura, a divination using rice porridge, passed down at Mishima Jinja in Asao, Akeno-cho, Hokuto City.
Twelve bamboo tubes, assigned to the crops for 1–December and 12 types of crops, are woven together with hemp rope and placed in a pot of porridge.
The amount of porridge packed inside the tubes is used to divine the fortunes of farming and the yield of crops for each month.
It is listed as intangible folk cultural heritage in Hokuto City’s cultural property catalog.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the moment when bamboo tubes are placed in a pot of porridge made with one sho of white rice, and the amount of porridge packed inside each tube is checked.
At midnight, the bamboo tubes are taken out, and the amount of rice porridge packed inside is judged as “high,” “medium (average),” or “low.”
Once the divination result is ready, the chief priest beats a to notify the district. The result is not made public; the next morning, pass it by word of mouth from household to household.
A traditional shinji at Mishima Jinja, entrusting the year ahead in Akeno to porridge-filled bamboo tubes
What to expect
The shinji begins at 10 p.m. on the night of the 16th, with recited by the chief priest.
After norito and a purification ritual, the bamboo tubes are placed in the pot, and porridge made with one sho of white rice is cooked until midnight.
At midnight, the bamboo tubes are taken out and judged by the ujiko representative; the chief priest beats a taiko to notify the district of the result.
After the divination, everyone eats the porridge. It is said that eating it will keep you free from illness for a year.
How to take part
Ujiko of the shrine take part in the shinji.
No information is provided about participation procedures such as registration, reservations, or fees.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Mishima Jinja, Asao, Akeno-cho, Hokuto City
Event venue 山梨県北杜市 三島神社
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Season
Every year, from February 16 through the 17th
- 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 Yamanashi Prefecture / Hokuto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
北杜市オオムラサキセンター
山梨県北杜市長坂町にある昆虫館
北杜市考古資料館
山梨県北杜市にある資料館
山梨県立フラワーセンター ハイジの村
山梨県北杜市にあるテーマパーク
平山郁夫シルクロード美術館
山梨県北杜市にある美術館
清春白樺美術館
山梨県北杜市にある美術館
清里ポーセリンミュージアム
山梨県北杜市にある、マイセン磁器コレクションを展示する美術館
Origins and History of Mishima Jinja’s Otutsu-gayu Shinji
The exact year when Mishima Jinja’s Otutsu-gayu Shinji began is unknown.
However, it is described in the Kai Kokushi, compiled in 1814 (Bunka 11) during the Edo period, and is said to have been practiced at least by that time.
The subjects of the divination have changed over time. There was a period in the past when hot springs were divined, and today, “grapes” is listed alongside “millet” for the November tube.
Official information
Mishima Jinja’s Otutsu-gayu Shinji is listed as designated intangible folk cultural heritage in Hokuto City’s official cultural property catalog.
It is located in Asao, Akeno-cho, and was designated in Showa 59July 7.
Mishima Jinja’s Otutsu-gayu Shinji at a Glance
Mishima Jinja’s Otutsu-gayu Shinji is an event that divines the fortunes of farming and the yield of crops for each month from the amount of porridge packed inside bamboo tubes.
It begins with norito and a purification ritual on the night of the 16th, then continues with the midnight judgment, the announcement by taiko, and eating the porridge.
Its exact origins are unknown, but it is mentioned in the 1814 Kai Kokushi and is also registered as intangible folk cultural property in Hokuto City.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
