An archery ritual in which arrows are shot at a large target to pray for the community’s peace and a rich harvest
Ogo Hachiman Shrine Oyumi Ritual
The 2026 edition of Ogo Hachiman Shrine Oyumi Ritual has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/02/11Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year in February / Every year
- Location
- Ogo Hachiman Shrine
- Area
- Hyogo Prefecture・Kobe City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 40 min–3 h 10 min · 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.
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Ogo Hachiman Shrine Oyumi Ritual is a traditional ceremony in which arrows are shot at a large target marked with the character “oni” (demon) to pray for good health and a bountiful harvest. Said to have originated in the early Kamakura period, it has been passed down as a community-rooted ritual performed by Ogo’s .
About Ogo Hachiman Shrine Oyumi Ritual
The Ogo Hachiman Shrine Oyumi Ritual is a New Year’s ceremony handed down at Ogo Hachiman Shrine.
Said to have originated in the early Kamakura period, it has been performed as a celebratory rite anticipating a good harvest.
The ujiko district is divided into 4 ritual districts, with local people serving in rotation.
Designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Hyogo Prefecture, it carries the region’s history and faith into the present.
Source: 淡河八幡神社｜兵庫県神社庁 神社検索 / 神戸市北神区役所：区長からの発信（2025年度）
Festival highlights
A highlight is the chief priest writing “oni” in ink at the center of a large target about 2 meters in diameter, then filling it in with black.
Afterward, 4 young archers shoot arrows at the large target.
Each archer uses 4 arrows, for a total of 16, in a ceremonial archery performance that includes intricate techniques. You can experience up close how the ritual uses archery to ward off misfortune and pray for a rich harvest.
An archery ritual in which arrows are shot at a large target to pray for the community’s peace and a rich harvest
What to expect
The ritual begins with the chief priest writing “oni” at the center of the large target and filling it in with black.
Next, the 4 selected archers take turns shooting at the large target and perform a ceremonial archery offering.
The sequence of rites, expressing prayers for good health and a bountiful harvest, concludes with the archery offering.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Ogo Hachiman Shrine (35 Katsuo, Ogocho, Kita-ku, Kobe).
- Train and bus
Get off at “Ogo Hachiman-mae” on the Shinki Bus Miki-Sanda Line, then walk about 3 minutes northeast.
Address 35 Katsuo, Ogocho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, the Oyumi was held at Tango Hachiman Shrine on February 11.
The offering was performed in the afternoon, making it easier for visitors to watch.
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 Hyogo Prefecture / Kobe City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
人と防災未来センター
兵庫県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
兵庫県立美術館
兵庫県神戸市「HAT神戸」にある美術館
布引ハーブ園
兵庫県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
生田神社
神戸市中央区にある神社
白鶴美術館
兵庫県神戸市東灘区にある美術館
写真：Original uploader was 663highland at ja.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
神戸どうぶつ王国
兵庫県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
神戸ポートタワー
神戸港にあるタワー
神戸市立博物館
神戸市中央区京町にある博物館
神戸市立小磯記念美術館
神戸市東灘区にある美術館
Origins and History of Ogo Hachiman Shrine Oyumi Ritual
The Oyumi Ritual is said to have begun in the early Kamakura period.
According to the history of Ogo Hachiman Shrine, in 1223 a divided spirit of Emperor Ōjin was brought from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and enshrined here; from then on, the shrine was called Hachimangu.
The Oyumi Ritual is a New Year’s ceremony in the area, handed down through the service of the ujiko.
Official information
Basic information about Ogo Hachiman Shrine and an overview of the Oyumi Ritual are available in the Hyogo Prefecture Shrine Association’s shrine directory.
Details of the 2026 event can be checked in updates from the Kobe City Hokushin Ward Office and in the Kobe City Fire Department’s activity reports for the Ogo division.
Ogo Hachiman Shrine Oyumi Ritual at a Glance
The Ogo Hachiman Shrine Oyumi Ritual is a New Year’s ceremony said to have originated in the early Kamakura period.
The chief priest seals a large target marked with “oni,” then 4 archers shoot a total of 16 arrows to pray for good health and a bountiful harvest.
A ritual at Ogo Hachiman Shrine, performed by local ujiko and designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Hyogo Prefecture.
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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