Nakamura Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include dashi lit with lanterns, the mikoshi procession, and sacred processions featuring lion dances and tengu clearing the way.

Gion music is played on large and small taiko drums, flutes, and surigane gongs. Pieces such as Michibiki, Ōma, and Shōden have been passed down.

Horseback archery rites are also held in front of the former Aoya shrine and Yasaka Main Shrine to purify the festival route.

The festival’s ritual objects and designs have distinctive features, including dragons carved on the dashi and dragons on the gotan banners.

Gion music echoes through Kakegawa as the sacred procession is passed down

What to expect

The festival includes a sacred procession from Yasaka Main Shrine to the former Aoya shrine, the mikoshi procession, and rites at the former shrine.

The first day of the main festival includes visits to Man-shōji Temple, misogi, assigning roles by drawing lots, preparing the ritual implements, ranking the keigo, and the eve-of-festival ceremonies.

On the second day, events include the grand festival, the dashi procession through Aoya, the horseback archery festival, the gotan banner festival, and sacred processions.

The festival concludes with the mikoshi arriving at the main shrine, the removal of pine branches from the dashi, and each district’s closing ceremonies.

How to take part

At the heart of the festival are sacred rites and processions in which priests, parishioner representatives, district heads, young men, and others each have a role.

Each district’s keigo representative takes up the role after completing the prescribed ceremony.

It has not been specified whether general visitors can take part in ritual roles, so check the participation requirements and methods for each event.

Visitors should follow the guidance of festival participants so as not to disrupt the proceedings.

Location and access

Venue and address

Nakamura Yasaka Shrine (1-2311 Naka, Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture).

Events also take place at Yasaka Main Shrine, the former Aoya shrine, and the Aoya otabisho.

Parking

Shizuoka Prefecture’s cultural property guide states that there is no parking.

Address 1-2311 Naka, Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season

The first Saturday and Sunday of October

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The festival includes the mikoshi procession, dashi parade, sacred processions, and horseback archery rites, so watch from a place that does not obstruct the route or the instructions of festival participants.

The atmosphere of the festival changes throughout the day, from the lighting of the lanterns to the eve-of-festival ceremonies.

At the shrine grounds and along the route, please be considerate about talking during rituals and whether photography is permitted.

The information lists no parking, so if you plan to drive, check local traffic conditions in advance.

Nearby attractions

Temples and shrinesKakegawa City

事任八幡宮

静岡県掛川市にある神社

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写真：観光・CP課 / CC BY 4.0

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Castles and historic sitesKakegawa City

掛川城

静岡県掛川市にあった城

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写真：行政課 / CC BY 4.0

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Museums and art museumsKakegawa City

掛川市二の丸美術館

静岡県掛川市掛川1142-1にある公立の美術館

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写真：Abasaa / Public domain

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Castles and historic sitesKakegawa City

高天神城

静岡県掛川市の城

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写真：立花左近 / CC BY-SA 3.0

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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 Nakamura Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival

Nakamura Yasaka Shrine is said to have been established in Nakamura, Tōtōmi Province, in Ōtoku 2 (1086).

The festival’s history is described in two periods: an early period from 1086 to 1446, and a later period from 1446 to the present.

Around 1446, it is thought that after Man-shōji Temple was founded, Aoya Yasaka Shrine was moved to its current location.

Since then, the Nakamura Gion Festival has passed down the Gion Festival of Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine almost unchanged, preserving its old festival organization, sacred procession, and Gion music to this day.

Official information

Kakegawa City’s tourism website features an introduction to the Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival.

You can find information about the festival’s origins, sacred rites, Gion music, dashi, and sacred processions.

Shizuoka Prefecture’s cultural property information also provides details about the designation of the Gion music and festival events, their location, and public access.

Source: しずおか文化財ナビ 大東町八坂神社の祇園囃子と祭礼行事｜静岡県公式ホームページ

Nakamura Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival at a Glance

The Nakamura Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival is a historic Gion Festival passed down in Naka, Kakegawa City.

The festival combines a range of sacred rites and events, including the mikoshi procession, dashi, lion dances, tengu, horseback archery, and Gion music.

While rooted in the traditions of Kyoto’s Gion Festival, it also preserves customs unique to Nakamura, such as those associated with the former Aoya shrine, local districts, and keigo.

This event is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shizuoka Prefecture and offers a chance to experience the festival’s history and local culture.