Okamura Island’s traditional bow prayer, where the twang of arrows rings out alongside Ise Ondo
Okamura Island Bow Prayer
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year on February 11 / Every year
- Location
- The archery ground on the grounds of Himekojima Shrine
- Area
- Ehime Prefecture・Imabari City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 25 min–1 h 45 min · flight time only)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
- Required number of participants
- Traditionally, there are 6 archers from each of the Miyaura and Satoura settlements, for a total of 12.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A traditional event passed down at Himekojima Shrine in Sekizen-Okamura, Imabari City, this ritual uses bows to ward off evil spirits. Visitors can see a solemn purification ceremony at the archery ground and a variety of target rounds, followed by a distinctive procession around the shrine and village accompanied by and Ise Ondo.
About Okamura Island Bow Prayer
The Okamura Island Bow Prayer is a traditional event held at an archery ground set up within the grounds of Himekojima Shrine in Sekizen-Okamura, Imabari City.
It is designated as an Ehime Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property and has been passed down as a ritual to ward off evil spirits.
The sequence, from the early-morning messenger to the archery ceremony, shrine visit, procession through the village, and celebratory feast, reflects local life and faith.
Source: 岡村島の弓祈祷 - えひめの文化財（たから）
Festival highlights
A highlight is watching the archers shoot at the targets using the Ogasawara school of archery.
After the shot at the oni target, a succession of targets with different designs is presented, including the Ami-hori target, a fan, the gold target, a novelty target, the shot-stop target, and the mouse target.
It is also said that the target caller announces hits and misses, and when an arrow hits, the flower bearer places a celebratory envelope called an “atari-bana” in the archer’s sleeve.
Okamura Island’s traditional bow prayer, where the twang of arrows rings out alongside Ise Ondo
What to expect
The event begins early in the morning with the “Seven-and-a-Half Calls,” in which participants go to bring the archers.
At the archery ground, a priest performs a purification, followed by shooting gestures toward the six directions and shots at the oni target. The archers then shoot, followed by the -yumi, the Nijūgodo-me-shiki, and various target rounds.
After the events at the archery ground, participants visit the shrine and process through the village to the accompaniment of taiko and Ise Ondo.
How to take part
必要人数：射手衆は本来、宮浦・里浦集落から6名ずつ、計12名です。
Location and access
- Venue and address
Himekojima (984 Sekizen-Okamura, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture).
Source: 姫子島神社 – 公益社団法人 今治地方観光協会
Address 984 Sekizen-Okamura, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
Every year on February 11
- 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 Ehime Prefecture / Imabari City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the event involves shooting bows at the archery ground, do not enter the area around the archery ground or targets while watching, and follow local instructions.
The event begins early in the morning with the “Seven-and-a-Half Calls” procession, so you will need to arrive early if you want to see the entire event.
The event also includes a shrine visit and a procession through the village, so it is important to watch quietly without disrupting local activities.
Nearby attractions
The main nearby attraction is Himekojima Shrine, known for its bow-prayer ritual.
The shrine is in the center of Okamura Island and is revered as an essential part of island life.
There is also a Kuse Kannon Hall in Sekizen-Okamura, Imabari City, but no specific distance or travel time from the ritual venue is provided.
Source: 神社仏閣 | 観光スポット | 観光情報 | 今治市
かわら館
愛媛県今治市にある博物館
ところミュージアム大三島
愛媛県今治市大三島にある現代彫刻の美術館
写真：-- 地方の田舎もの （ 会話 ） 2022年9月3日 (土) 13:14 (UTC) / CC BY 3.0
Photo source ·
タオル美術館ICHIHIRO
愛媛県今治市にある美術館
今治市伊東豊雄建築ミュージアム
愛媛県今治市大三島にある建築美術館
今治市大三島美術館
愛媛県今治市大三島にある美術館
今治市大西藤山歴史資料館
愛媛県今治市に所在する考古学博物館
今治市岩田健母と子のミュージアム
愛媛県今治市大三島にある美術館
今治市河野美術館
愛知県今治市にある美術館
今治市玉川近代美術館
愛媛県今治市にある美術館
Kamo Shrine
愛媛県今治市にある神社
Ōyamazumi Shrine
愛媛県今治市大三島にある神社
愛媛文華館
愛媛県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
Origins and History of Okamura Island Bow Prayer
The detailed origins of the Okamura Island Bow Prayer are said to be unknown.
However, it is said that , practiced since ancient times at Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima, may have been brought here by priests traveling between the locations.
The event is said to have taken its present form during the Genna era of the Edo period (1615–1624).
Official information
Ehime Prefecture’s official cultural property information lists the Okamura Island Bow Prayer as a prefecture-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
You can find information about the event’s sequence, the archers and target rounds, and explanations of its origins.
Okamura Island Bow Prayer at a Glance
The Okamura Island Bow Prayer is a traditional event in Sekizen-Okamura, Imabari City, where arrows are shot at the archery ground of Himekojima Shrine to ward off evil spirits.
Its distinctive features include a variety of target rounds, such as the oni target and the gold target; the Ogasawara school of archery; and visits to the shrine and a procession through the village accompanied by taiko and Ise Ondo.
Although some aspects of its origins remain unclear, it is said that the event has continued in its present form since the Genna era of the Edo period.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
