An ancient prayer in Omori, woven together by ta-asobi and dance
Mutsuki Shinji
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- The third Sunday of February, once every 4 years / Once every 4 years
- Location
- Kamo Shrine, Mutsuki Hall
- Area
- Fukui Prefecture・Fukui City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 50 min–3 h 20 min · bullet 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
Mutsuki Shinji, passed down in Omori, Fukui City, is a traditional event that continues from its dedication to Kamo Shrine to a procession, ta-asobi, and dance.
About Mutsuki Shinji
Mutsuki Shinji is a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property passed down in Omori, Fukui City.
This ritual performing art is dedicated to Kamo Shrine, and prayers are offered for peace throughout the land, national security, and a bountiful harvest in the new year.
Today it is held in Omori once every 4 years, preserving the form of ta-asobi particularly well.
This is a community tradition passed down over generations, continuing from worship at the shrine to the mikoshi procession and then to dances and music at the festival site.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the procession, centered around the mikoshi, as it makes its way to the festival site after worship at the shrine, and the ta-asobi performed at Mutsuki Shinji Hall.
On a stage made by placing wooden boards over 4 rice bales, children and young people perform dances such as “Sasara” and “Sasaiya.”
Afterward, performances such as “Ta-bayashi,” “Kaiko-bayashi,” and “Naetori-uta” are presented with the tayu’s chants, hayashi music, , and clapping.
An ancient prayer in Omori, woven together by ta-asobi and dance
What to expect
The event begins with samurai taiko, followed by worship at Kamo Shrine, Take-soroi, Ogi-moto, and the mikoshi .
During the mikoshi togyo, , yakko, hayashi musicians, and others process with the mikoshi to the Mutsuki Shinji Hall.
At the hall, performances include Myojin-mairi, abura-oshi, Iwai no Naka, Modoki, Sasara, Saiyaiya, and Ogi-moto. Finally, the mikoshi returns to Kamo Shrine.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Mutsuki Shinji Hall, Omori, Fukui City / Kamo Shrine, Omori, Fukui City
- Train and bus
Get off at the “Omori” stop on the Keifuku Bus Gusshiki Line; it’s a short walk from there.
Address Omori, Fukui City
Dates and season
Once every 4 years, on the third Sunday of February.
Fukui Prefecture’s cultural property guide lists the next event as taking place in 2027 (Reiwa 9).
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 Fukui Prefecture / Fukui City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Mutsuki Shinji Hall is not normally open.
If you visit the venue, please do so on the day the shinji is held.
Nearby attractions
Near Mutsuki Shinji Hall are Shimizu Nishi Community Center, Shimizu Nishi Elementary School, the former Shimizu General Branch Office, and a regional revitalization facility.
They are all listed as facilities in the area around Omori.
おさごえ民家園
福井県福井市にある博物館
一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡
福井県福井市にある遺跡
柴田神社
福井市にある神社
Shinmei Jinja
福井県福井市にある神社
福井市愛宕坂茶道美術館
福井県福井市にある美術館
福井市橘曙覧記念文学館
福井県福井市にある文学館
福井市水道記念館
福井県福井市にある博物館
福井市立郷土歴史博物館
福井県福井市にある博物館
福井市美術館
福井県福井市にある美術館
写真：藤谷良秀 (Yoshihide Fujitani) / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source ·
福井市自然史博物館
福井県福井市にある博物館
福井県立こども歴史文化館
福井県福井市城東にある博物館
Origins and History of Mutsuki Shinji
Mutsuki Shinji is said to have been passed down since the Kamakura period, about 800 years ago, though its origins are uncertain.
In the past, the of 8 villages belonging to Kamo Shrine in Shizu Manor formed groups of 2 villages and took turns holding it each year.
Because it required considerable expense and the participation of many children, today it is held only in Omori once every 4 years.
The place where the offerings were performed moved from Kamo Shrine to the tatami rooms of old homes in Omori, then to a community hall, and finally to the current Mutsuki Shinji Hall.
Official information
Fukui Prefecture’s cultural property page and Fukui City’s “Cultural Properties of the Shimizu Area: Mutsuki Shinji” introduce its designation, place of transmission, event details, schedule, and directions to the venue.
Mutsuki Shinji at a Glance
Mutsuki Shinji is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property performed once every 4 years in Omori, Fukui City.
After worship at Kamo Shrine and the mikoshi procession, dances by children and young people, ta-asobi, the tayu’s chants, and performances featuring hayashi music and taiko take place at Mutsuki Shinji Hall.
As an event praying for peace throughout the land, national security, and a bountiful harvest, it carries forward traditional performing arts and local ways of life.
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
