A silent procession carrying the gods’ meeting and prayers for a bountiful harvest
Noto-be Shrine’s Bakko Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year, November 17–21 / Every year
- Location
- Noto-be Shrine
- Area
- Ishikawa Prefecture・Nakanoto Town(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/22
Noto-be Shrine’s Bakko Festival is a traditional religious ceremony in Nakanoto Town centered on the gods’ annual meeting, praying for the prosperity of descendants and a bountiful harvest.
About Noto-be Shrine’s Bakko Festival
Noto-be Shrine’s Bakko Festival is a traditional religious ceremony held at Noto-be Shrine for 5 days each year, from November 17 through the 21st.
The festival expresses gratitude for descendants and the harvest, and prays for a bountiful harvest. It is also known as the Byōei Festival.
According to tradition, the male deity Noto-hiko-no-kami meets once a year with the goddess of Atago Shrine in Nishi-Baba Iriai, and the festival is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Nakanoto Town.
Source: 能登部神社の「ばっこ祭り」／中能登町
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the hōgei festival on the 19th.
The walk about 1 km from Noto-be Shrine to Atago Shrine in silence late at night, perform a ceremony at the , and then return to Noto-be Shrine.
Another distinctive feature is the sequence of ceremonies over several days: Noto-hiko-no-kami and the goddess spend 2 nights together at Noto-be Shrine, and the goddess returns to Atago Shrine during the festival on the 21st.
A silent procession carrying the gods’ meeting and prayers for a bountiful harvest
What to expect
The festival takes place over 5 days, with the hōgei festival on the 19th and the kangyo festival on the 21st.
During the hōgei festival, the ujiko walk back and forth along the road at night in silence and perform a ceremony at the haiden of Atago Shrine.
At the naorai afterward, the ujiko are served rice mixed with greens, one soup and two side dishes, and doburoku, which is why the festival is also called the “Doburoku Festival.”
Source: 【終了】【2025年11月17～21日 】中能登町指定無形民俗文化財「能登部神社ばっこまつり」を開催 - 中能登町観光協会
How to take part
The stated audience is everyone.
No registration is required for the festival, and there is no capacity limit.
There is no fee.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Noto-be Shrine (Ha 18, Noto-be Kami, Nakanoto Town, Kashima District, Ishikawa Prefecture)
- Train and bus
5-minute walk from JR Noto-be Station (2 km)
Address Ha 18, Noto-be Kami, Nakanoto Town, Kashima District, Ishikawa Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
Every year, November 17–21
- 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 Ishikawa Prefecture / Nakanoto Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The hōgei festival takes place late at night, and the ujiko walk about 1 km in silence.
As the time needed to watch varies depending on how the festival is progressing, visitors are advised to contact Noto-be Shrine.
Origins and History of Noto-be Shrine’s Bakko Festival
According to tradition, the festival originated when Noto-hiko-no-kami, the enshrined deity, offered cloudy sake and dumplings to Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto during his circuit of Noto. Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto praised the offerings and said, “I shall make you my descendants.”
Because of this origin, the festival is also called the Byōei Festival.
Today, it is passed down as a religious ceremony centered on the meeting between Noto-hiko-no-kami and the goddess of Atago Shrine. Noto-be Shrine’s Bakko Festival became an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Nakanoto Town in 2002.
Source: PDF資料
Official information
Nakanoto Town’s official page, “Noto-be Shrine’s ‘Bakko Festival,’” provides information on the venue, dates, festival details, and access.
Noto-be Shrine’s Bakko Festival at a Glance
Noto-be Shrine’s Bakko Festival is a 5-day religious ceremony expressing gratitude for descendants and the harvest, and praying for a bountiful harvest.
During the hōgei festival on the 19th, the ujiko walk about 1 km in silence late at night. At the kangyo festival on the 21st, the goddess returns to Atago Shrine.
Noto-be Shrine is located at Ha 18, Noto-be Kami, Nakanoto Town, and is listed as a 5-minute walk from JR Noto-be Station.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/10/22
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