Nagoda’s Festival: 200 Arrows and Distinctive Attire
Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Hakusan Shrine
- Area
- Shimane Prefecture・Okinoshima Town(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.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū, passed down in Nagoda, Okinoshima Town, is a ritual archery ceremony held at Hakusan Shrine. Its distinctive features include the custom of shooting 200 arrows, the lead role’s makeup, and women dressing as men.
About Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū
Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū is a ritual archery ceremony passed down at Hakusan Shrine in Nagoda, Okinoshima Town.
It is called “Momote Matsuri” because 200 arrows are shot, counted as 1 set of 2.
The lead role’s makeup and women dressing as men are distinctive features of the festival.
Preserved in a small village as a local observance, it is also designated by the town as an intangible folk cultural property.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the ritual archery ceremony held at Hakusan Shrine.
The format of shooting 200 arrows in sets of 2 is linked to the festival’s name and content.
The lead role’s makeup and women dressing as men are also distinctive features of this festival.
The archery customs and attire together offer a sense of what makes the local observance in Nagoda unique.
Nagoda’s Festival: 200 Arrows and Distinctive Attire
What to expect
The festival features a ritual archery ceremony at Hakusan Shrine.
The arrows are handled in sets of 2, for a total of 200 arrows shot.
The lead role wears makeup, and women dress as men, so the attire accompanying the ritual is as notable as the act of shooting.
Please check the event information to find out how much, if at all, general visitors may participate.
How to take part
The lead role and the archers at the heart of the festival have roles in carrying out the local ritual.
Customs tied to specific roles have been documented, including the lead role’s makeup and women dressing as men.
If you wish to watch, please follow on-site instructions and avoid interfering with the progress of the ritual.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Hakusan Shrine (Nagoda, Okinoshima Town, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture).
Address Nagoda, Okinoshima Town, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture
Tips for your visit
The ceremony takes place at Hakusan Shrine and is part of a local tradition passed down through generations.
When watching, it is important to keep a respectful distance and avoid interfering with the archery ritual or the lead role’s movements.
Follow on-site instructions about restricted areas, photography, and transportation on the day.
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 Shimane Prefecture / Okinoshima Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
隠岐郷土館
島根県隠岐の島町にある博物館
Origins and History of Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū
The specific date when Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū began is not known.
The 1687 record “Zōho Onshūki” suggests that the Nagoda area then consisted of a small village of around a dozen households.
The festival is described as a local observance preserved in a small village of this kind.
In 1975, the Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū Preservation Society was recorded as the holder of a town-designated cultural property.
Official information
Okinoshima Town presents Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū as a town-designated intangible folk cultural property.
Its description identifies the venue as Hakusan Shrine in Nagoda, Okinoshima Town, and the preservation society as the holder.
For the latest details about the event date and visitor information on the day, please check for updates from the town or the preservation society.
Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū at a Glance
Nagoda Momote Matsuri Fūryū is a ritual archery ceremony passed down at Hakusan Shrine in Nagoda, Okinoshima Town.
Distinctive features include shooting 200 arrows in sets of 2, the lead role’s makeup, and women dressing as men.
The festival has been preserved as a local observance in the small village of Nagoda, mentioned in records from 1687.
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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