A traditional event at Myoken Shrine, linking the mikoshi procession with three dances
Nanoka Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year on August 7 / Every year
- Location
- Myoken Shrine
- Area
- Gifu Prefecture・Gujo City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h–2 h 30 min · bullet train + connecting 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/23
The Nanoka Festival is dedicated every year on August 7 at Myoken Shrine in Yamato Town, Gujo City. The procession and the three dances of the field festival form a sequence of rites passed down since long ago.
About Nanoka Festival
The Nanoka Festival is a dedicated every year on August 7 at Myoken Shrine in Yamato Town, Gujo City.
It has been designated a Gifu Prefecture Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, and the Nanoka Festival Preservation Society carries on its traditional skills.
Although the origin of the festival is not confirmed, a ritual text on conducting the festival, submitted to the magistrate's office by village officials in Genroku 6 (1693), has survived, and the festival today is held in a form that has changed very little since that time.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the procession, led by the mikoshi and joined by bow-bearers, pestle dancers, flute and players, Sarutahiko, a lion, and young performers.
After circling the 3 times, the procession passes through the Tatemondai and Yokomondai gates, then makes a round trip along the cherry-lined path to the Great Cedar, about 300 meters away.
At the plaza on the return journey, the field festival is held, comprising the dances before the deity, the pestle dance, and the lion-awakening dance. The procession and dances unfold as one continuous sequence of rites.
A traditional event at Myoken Shrine, linking the mikoshi procession with three dances
What to expect
The rites proceed in the order of offering food, the ceremony before the deity, the transfer of the deity, and the removal of offerings, after which the mikoshi procession begins.
The procession circles the haiden 3 times, passes through the Tatemondai and Yokomondai gates, and makes a round trip to the Great Cedar.
On the return journey, three dances are dedicated at the plaza as part of the field festival.
When the dances are over, everyone receives sacred sake and sasa chimaki at a place covered with straw mats.
The chief priest and others prepare the sacred sake 1 week before the festival and the sasa chimaki 3 days before the festival.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Myoken Shrine / Myoken, Yamato Town, Gujo City
Source: Nanoka Festival · くるす桜 | 【TABITABI郡上】
Address Myoken, Yamato Town, Gujo City
Dates and season
- Season
Every year on August 7
- 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 Gifu Prefecture / Gujo City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
郡上八幡博覧館
日本の岐阜県郡上市にある博物館
郡上八幡城
岐阜県郡上市の城
Origins and History of Nanoka Festival
The origin of the Nanoka Festival is not confirmed, but a ritual text on conducting the festival, submitted to the magistrate's office by village officials in Genroku 6 (1693), has survived.
According to information from Gifu Prefecture, the festival celebrated today has changed very little from the form described in that record.
It was designated a Gifu Prefecture Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Showa 50December 10 and Showa 51June 4.
Official information
Gifu Prefecture Official Website (Cultural Heritage Division), “Nanoka Festival”
Nanoka Festival at a Glance
The Nanoka Festival is a shinji of Yamato Town, Gujo City, dedicated at Myoken Shrine.
After rites such as offering food, the mikoshi proceeds in procession, making a round trip along the route from the haiden to the Great Cedar.
On the return journey, the dances before the deity, the pestle dance, and the lion-awakening dance are performed, and finally everyone receives sacred sake and sasa chimaki.
A ritual text on conducting the festival from Genroku 6 (1693) has survived, and the present-day form has been passed down with little change.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/23
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
