A Sengoku-era yabusame ritual with purification in Lake Hamana
Ninomiya Shrine Grand Festival Yabusame Ritual
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year, the 2nd Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of October / Every year
- Location
- Ninomiya Shrine
- Area
- Shizuoka Prefecture・Kosai City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h–1 h 30 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.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/22
A festival passed down at Ninomiya Shrine in Kosai City since the Sengoku period. After the ritual, purification takes place in Lake Hamana.
About Ninomiya Shrine Grand Festival Yabusame Ritual
The Ninomiya Shrine Grand Festival Yabusame Ritual is held at Ninomiya Shrine in Nakanogo, Arai-cho, Kosai City.
It is designated an intangible folk cultural property by the city, and the yabusame is said to be an annual observance dating back to the Sengoku period.
During the festival, the selected horseback rider goes on horseback to the boat landing after the ritual, then travels by boat onto Lake Hamana to purify themself.
Source: 二宮神社｜湖西・新居観光協会【公式】
Festival highlights
A highlight is the full sequence in which the horseback rider goes on horseback to the boat landing in front of the shrine after the ritual, then travels by boat onto Lake Hamana to purify themself.
The yabusame ritual has just 1 target area; unlike at some other shrines, spectators do not compete to collect the arrows that have been shot.
A traditional drawing of lots to choose the horseback rider is also held before the festival.
A Sengoku-era yabusame ritual with purification in Lake Hamana
What to expect
One week before the festival, a traditional drawing of lots is held to choose the horseback rider.
Today, the selected horseback rider stays in seclusion only on the night before the day of the .
The ritual takes place at 3 p.m. that day. Afterward, the rider goes on horseback to the boat landing in front of the shrine, then travels by boat onto Lake Hamana to perform misogi purification.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Ninomiya Shrine, 320 Nakanogo, Arai-cho, Kosai City
Address 320 Nakanogo, Arai-cho, Kosai City
Dates and season
- Season
Every year, the 2nd Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of October
- 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 Shizuoka Prefecture / Kosai City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Origins and History of Ninomiya Shrine Grand Festival Yabusame Ritual
Yabusame at Ninomiya Shrine is an annual observance that has been held since the Sengoku period.
Ninomiya Shrine was originally located in Kamasaki, Nakanogo. According to its history, a magatama jewel carried in the beak of a mountain bird that flew there in Chōtoku 1 (995) was enshrined as its .
It is said that the shrine buildings were moved to their present site in Eishō 14 (1517), and that the shrine was granted the title Ninomiya.
Official information
湖西・新居観光協会公式 二宮神社案内：二宮神社｜湖西・新居観光協会【公式】
Ninomiya Shrine Grand Festival Yabusame Ritual at a Glance
The Ninomiya Shrine Grand Festival Yabusame Ritual is a yabusame festival dating back to the Sengoku period.
A traditional drawing of lots is held to choose the horseback rider, followed by a ritual starting at 3 p.m. After the ritual, the rider goes on horseback to the boat landing and performs misogi purification in Lake Hamana.
The venue is Ninomiya Shrine, at 320 Nakanogo, Arai-cho, Kosai City.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/22
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