Kosako Ennen

Festival highlights

Highlights include a variety of performances presented on an earthen platform or outdoor stage in the shrine grounds, such as lion dances, Oyama-biraki, Irifuri-mai, Hisaku-mai, and dengaku dances.

Oyama-biraki has theatrical elements, while Irifuri-mai is traditionally performed with a naginata.

The festival concludes with the Uma-nori-watashi, performed using real armor and horses, evoking the atmosphere of ancient performing arts.

A spring festival in Kurihara featuring traditional dances and a horseback performance

What to expect

The festival begins with a Buddhist service at Shōdaiji Temple, after which the mikoshi is carried in procession to Hakusan Shrine.

On an earthen platform or outdoor stage set up in the shrine grounds, performances such as lion dances, offerings of food, Oyama-biraki, Irifuri-mai, Hisaku-mai, and dengaku dances are presented in sequence.

The festival concludes with the Uma-nori-watashi, a horseback performance based on the story of Nasu no Yoichi from the Genpei War.

Source: 小迫の延年 | tbc東北放送

Location and access

Venue and address

The procession goes from Shōdaiji Temple to Hakusan Shrine, and the festival takes place in the shrine grounds.

The address is 77 Kanari Kosako-yama, Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture.

By car

It is about 20 minutes by car from Wakayanagi-Kanari IC.

Address 77 Kanasaki Oshozan, Kannari, Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, it was held on April 5 (Sunday), with event hours listed as 13:00 to 16:00.

At the signal of fireworks at 1 p.m., a procession proceeds from Shōdaiji Temple to Hakusan Shrine, where performances are presented in the shrine grounds.

It is held annually on the first Sunday of April.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

In 2026, the event runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the procession begins at the signal of fireworks at 1 p.m.

Highlights include both the procession from Shodaiji Temple to Hakusan Shrine and the stage performances within the shrine grounds.

The 2026 information says the event will go ahead in rainy weather.

Origins and History of Kosako Ennen

Kosako Ennen has been performed as an ennen ceremony following Buddhist services at the Kosako Festival of Hakusan Shrine, which once had Shōdaiji Temple as its jingūji, or associated temple.

Ennen is described as a general term for theatrical performances held at temples from the Heian period through the Muromachi period.

The festival was formerly held on day 3 of lunar month 3, but is now held on the first Sunday of April. It was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property on February 3, 1979.

Official information

For confirmation of the venue and dates, Kurihara City’s information lists the Kanari Branch of the Wakayanagi-Kanari Chamber of Commerce.

The festival is organized by the Kosako Ennen Preservation Society.

You can find an explanation of its cultural heritage status in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties.

Kosako Ennen at a Glance

Kosako Ennen is a traditional event in Kurihara City in which a mikoshi is carried in procession from Shōdaiji Temple to Hakusan Shrine, followed by performances in the shrine grounds such as lion dances, dengaku dances, and naginata dances.

The festival preserves a sequence of ancient performing arts associated with temples and shrines, culminating in the Uma-nori-watashi, which uses real armor and horses.

In 2026, it was held on April 5, from 13:00 to 16:00, and went ahead even in rainy weather.