A ritual in the Nakajima Islands where people receive cut-paper pieces and carry on a tradition of prayer
Omidori Ritual
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Evening festival on the eve of the autumn grand festival
- Location
- 17 shrines in villages across the Nakajima Islands
- Area
- Ehime Prefecture・Matsuyama 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
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Omidori Ritual, passed down at 17 shrines in the Nakajima Islands of Matsuyama City, is an autumn in which people pray for a bountiful harvest and household safety through songs and . “Omidori-hiki,” in which people receive cut-paper pieces from the wooden frame, reflects local faith and traditions.
About Omidori Ritual
The Omidori Ritual is held during the evening festival on the eve of the autumn grand festival at 17 shrines in the Nakajima Islands of Matsuyama City.
White paper cut into shapes such as shrines and gates is attached to a wooden frame, which is suspended in the center of the .
Prayers for a bountiful harvest and household safety are offered through kagura songs and norito, and the ritual is passed down by local parishioners and residents.
Source: おみどり神事 17か所 松山市公式ホームページ PCサイト
Festival highlights
The highlight is “Omidori-hiki,” in which a wooden frame suspended from the ceiling of the worship hall is raised and lowered as local residents compete to take the cut-paper pieces attached to it.
The frame is decorated with shapes representing shrines and torii gates, adding color to the ritual space.
The norito prayers following the kagura songs, together with the movements of people seeking to receive the cut-paper pieces, make up the sequence of events.
A ritual in the Nakajima Islands where people receive cut-paper pieces and carry on a tradition of prayer
What to expect
During the ritual, an orii, a structure used to welcome the gods, is suspended in the center of the worship hall, and offerings are made.
After kagura songs and norito are recited, “Omidori-hiki” takes place: the wooden frame is raised and lowered as local residents compete to take the cut-paper pieces.
There is also a tradition of cherishing the omidori received as something that wards off illness and misfortune.
Source: 五十鈴神社（吉木） « 愛媛県神社庁
How to take part
Local residents are known to take part in “Omidori-hiki,” but whether general visitors can participate in the same way depends on the information provided at each location.
Viewing arrangements and how visitors are treated may vary depending on each shrine and local organizers.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The ritual takes place at shrines in villages across the Nakajima Islands, Matsuyama City.
It is not held at a single venue; 17 shrines are involved.
Source: 宇佐八幡神社｜見る・体験する｜瀬戸内・松山 里島めぐり｜瀬戸内・まつやま里島めぐり連絡協議会
Address Villages across the Nakajima Islands, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture
Dates and season
The Omidori ritual is held during the evening festival on the eve of the shrine’s autumn grand festival.
At Isuzu Shrine (Yoshiki), the is listed as taking place on the second Sunday of October, but the dates may not be the same for all 17 shrines.
Accommodation and hotels PR
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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 / Matsuyama City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the ritual is held at shrines in villages across the Nakajima Islands, it is important to confirm which shrine is involved and the event time before visiting.
As “Omidori-hiki” is an event in which local residents compete to take the cut-paper pieces, please follow local guidance and staff instructions when viewing, and take care not to disrupt the ritual.
Nearby attractions
Usa Hachiman Shrine on Futagami Island is featured as a nearby attraction.
Usa Hachiman Shrine stands atop a low hill. Visitors can see its approach, which has 170 steps, a bamboo grove, and small votive plaques from before the war.
The Omidori Ritual is held during the autumn festival, and are paraded through the district on the main festival day.
セキ美術館
愛媛県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
伊丹十三記念館
愛媛県松山市にある博物館
伊佐爾波神社
松山市にある神社
坂の上の雲ミュージアム
愛媛県松山市にある博物館
城山公園
愛媛県松山市にある公園
子規堂
愛媛県松山市にある、正岡子規にちなむ観光施設
写真：Iyo at Japanese Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
愛媛大学ミュージアム
愛媛県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
愛媛県美術館
愛媛県松山市にある美術館
愛媛縣護國神社
愛媛県松山市にある護国神社
松山城
愛媛県松山市にある城
松山城二之丸史跡庭園
愛媛県松山市の史跡庭園
松山市立子規記念博物館
俳人正岡子規を記念する愛媛県松山市立の博物館
Origins and History of Omidori Ritual
The exact origins of the Omidori Ritual are unknown, but it is said to be unique in Ehime Prefecture.
It is said to have developed into a Shinto ritual from a surviving segment of a performance from Kojin Kagura.
At Isuzu Shrine, a legend tells that omidori began to be given out to ward off illness and misfortune after a tengu delivered an oracle.
Official information
The Omidori Ritual is listed as a Matsuyama City-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property on the official Matsuyama City website.
For inquiries about cultural properties, contact the Matsuyama City Cultural Properties Division.
Omidori Ritual at a Glance
The Omidori Ritual is a distinctive local Shinto ritual held during the evening festival on the eve of the autumn grand festival at 17 shrines in the Nakajima Islands of Matsuyama City.
The ritual is marked by prayers for a bountiful harvest and household safety, offered through kagura songs and norito, followed by “Omidori-hiki,” in which the wooden frame is raised and lowered as people compete to take the cut-paper pieces.
Check with each shrine for the exact date.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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