A traditional Oki festival featuring the meeting of the Sun Deity and Moon Deity, with taiko and processions
Oki Mura Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- October 19 of odd-numbered years / Every other year (in odd-numbered years)
- Location
- Former Nakamura Elementary School grounds (Nakamura District)
- Area
- Shimane Prefecture・Okinoshima Town(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/20
This major festival involves the districts of Motoya, Nakamura, Nishimura, and Minato in Okinoshima Town, and centers on the meeting of the Sun Deity and Moon Deity. The procession carrying statues on tall poles, followed by , , and musicians, culminates in the two deities paying their respects at the festival grounds.
About Oki Mura Festival
Oki Mura Festival is a major festival involving the districts of Motoya, Nakamura, Nishimura, and Minato in Okinoshima Town.
At its center is the in which the Sun Deity of Hachioji Shrine in Motoya meets the Moon Deity of Ichinomori Shrine in Nakamura. Deities from smaller shrines associated with both shrines also take part.
Because the Sun Deity and Moon Deity meet, the festival is also called the Nichigetsusai. It is now held in October 19 of odd-numbered years.
In Showa 43 (1968) June, the shinji on the 19th was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shimane Prefecture.
Source: 隠岐武良祭風流 | しまね観光ナビ｜島根県公式観光情報サイト / 県指定文化財(民俗文化財)／隠岐の島町-つながらぁや つながぁや 一万年の隠岐の島‐
Festival highlights
A highlight is the procession carrying statues of the Sun Deity and Moon Deity atop long poles from their respective shrines to the festival grounds.
Following the Ohi-mori attendants, boys dressed in kamishimo and wearing red makeup carry taiko and beat them while calling out “Henyo!”
Behind them come numerous mikoshi, musicians, and participants dressed in armor and helmets. At the festival grounds, the Sun Deity and Moon Deity face each other and are worshipped.
Music is performed before the deities, and shinji such as the Urate rite, sumo, and are also held.
Source: 隠岐武良祭風流 | 隠岐の宝物たち・ジオパークサイト一覧 | Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark
A traditional Oki festival featuring the meeting of the Sun Deity and Moon Deity, with taiko and processions
What to expect
The full festival program is an extended series of shinji centered on the festival day, October 19, and running from October 9 through the 20th.
Events held before the festival day include Yakusashikai, mikoshi decoration and Rachin, Betsutetsu, Kusha Sanro, Shogami Shusan, Sonkei Kazari, Miyamori, Kagimori Sanro, and the eve-of-festival ceremony.
On the 19th, processions carrying the Sun Deity and Moon Deity, along with taiko, mikoshi, and musicians, make their way to the festival grounds, where the two deities meet.
During this time, shinji such as the Urate rite, sumo, and yabusame are held.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Former Nakamura Elementary School grounds (Nakamura District) / Nakamura, Okinoshima Town, Shimane Prefecture
- By car
30 minutes by car from Saigo Port
Address Nakamura, Okinoshima Town, Shimane Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
October 19 of odd-numbered years
- Frequency
Every other year (in odd-numbered years)
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 Shimane Prefecture / Okinoshima Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions include the Oki Folk Museum, Goka Soseikan, the Tamawakasu-no-Mikoto Shrine Kofun Group, cruises to Candle Island, and the Kabura Cedar.
The Oki Kokubunji Rengee Mai and Oki bull sumo are also listed as related attractions.
隠岐郷土館
島根県隠岐の島町にある博物館
Origins and History of Oki Mura Festival
According to tradition, Oki Mura Festival was started by Sadatsuna Sasaki (1142–1205), the chief land steward of Oki Province. Concerned about erratic weather, frequent illness, and poor harvests, he invited the Sun Deity and Moon Deity from Sasaki Manor in Omi Province.
It is considered a festival of harmony between the Sun and Moon, incorporating concepts from onmyodo, and centers on the meeting of the Sun Deity and Moon Deity.
The festival is called Mura Festival because the participating districts lie in Mura Township, which is recorded in the Wamyō Ruijushō.
In the past, it was held every other year in September 19, but it is now held in October 19.
Official information
The Okinoshima Town Board of Education is listed as the contact.
The phone number is 08512-2-2126.
Okinoshima Town’s cultural heritage guide lists Oki Mura Festival as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shimane Prefecture.
Oki Mura Festival at a Glance
Oki Mura Festival is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shimane Prefecture, involving several districts in Okinoshima Town and centering on the meeting of the Sun Deity and Moon Deity.
Following the procession carrying the two deities on tall poles, along with taiko, mikoshi, and musicians, people pay their respects at the festival grounds, where shinji such as the Urate rite, sumo, and yabusame are held.
The festival is held in October 19 of odd-numbered years, and the full program is described as lasting from October 9 through the 20th.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/20
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