An autumn festival in Muroto’s Sakihama area, where lion dances and improvisational theater are passed down
Muroto City Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine Traditional Rituals
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every October, on the Sunday before “Health and Sports Day” / Every year
- Location
- Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine
- Area
- Kochi Prefecture・Muroto City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min · flight time only)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.
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This traditional event at Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine in Sakihama-cho, Muroto, features and “niwaka,” an improvisational theatrical performance passed down since the Edo period. It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kochi Prefecture.
About Muroto City Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine Traditional Rituals
This traditional autumn ritual has been passed down at Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine in Sakihama-cho, Muroto.
The festival features performances of lion dances and “niwaka,” among other offerings.
It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kochi Prefecture as the Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine Traditional Rituals.
Source: むろとの祭 - 室戸市 ホームページ / 県指定 民俗文化財 | 高知県
Festival highlights
Highlights include the lion dances and “niwaka” performed as offerings at Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine.
“Niwaka” is said to be an improvisational theatrical performance passed down since the Edo period that incorporates social satire, and it has attracted attention nationwide.
Another distinctive feature is that traditional performing arts have been passed down in the community as offerings at the autumn festival.
An autumn festival in Muroto’s Sakihama area, where lion dances and improvisational theater are passed down
What to expect
The event features performances of lion dances and “niwaka,” among other offerings, at Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine.
“Niwaka” features improvisational theater incorporating social satire.
Visitors can experience the festival by watching the local traditional performing arts offered at the shrine.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine (Sakihama-cho, Muroto, Kochi Prefecture)
Address Sakihama-cho, Muroto, Kochi Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
Every October, on the Sunday before “Health and Sports Day”
- 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 Kochi Prefecture / Muroto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
むろと廃校水族館
高知県室戸市の水族館
Origins and History of Muroto City Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine Traditional Rituals
This event features “niwaka,” an improvisational theatrical performance passed down since the Edo period.
“Niwaka” has been passed down as a performing art incorporating social satire and is one of the distinctive features of the Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine Traditional Rituals.
The event is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kochi Prefecture.
Official information
Muroto City’s official website provides information about the venue, season, offerings, and cultural property designation of the Sakihama Hachimangu Autumn Festival under “Muroto Festivals.”
Muroto City Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine Traditional Rituals at a Glance
This traditional autumn ritual takes place at Sakihama Hachimangu Shrine in Sakihama-cho, Muroto, and features performances of lion dances and “niwaka,” among other offerings.
A particular highlight is “niwaka,” an improvisational theatrical performance passed down since the Edo period that incorporates social satire.
It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kochi Prefecture.
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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