A Roppo ritual that brings the glow of hoto and the mikoshi procession to the shrine approach at night
Roppo Osuzumi Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Julylast Saturday
- Location
- Hiyoshi Shrine
- Area
- Ishikawa Prefecture・Nanao City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · 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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Roppo Osuzumi Festival, held at Hiyoshi Shrine in Toyodamachi, Nakajima, Nanao City, is a and festival in which a procession of hoto and makes its way along the roads at night. This event, which has continued since the Edo period, has been passed down through the local community.
About Roppo Osuzumi Festival
Also known as the Roppo Osuzumi Festival, this Shinto ritual and festival is held at Hiyoshi Shrine in Toyodamachi, Nakajima, Nanao City.
This event has continued since the Edo period and is said to have originated as a prayer to the gods to quell infectious diseases that were widespread in summer.
It is also said to have developed from the gods’ “evening cool-down,” but its exact origin is unknown because there are no definitive written records.
Source: 六保納涼祭＜市指定文化財＞／七尾市
Festival highlights
The highlight is the procession, with hoto joining the nighttime procession.
At the head of the procession are tall lanterns and a shrine-name banner, followed by Sarutahiko, bells, drums, hoto, and the main shrine mikoshi.
At Okamidō, the processions from each subsidiary shrine circle clockwise around the mikoshi 3 times, creating an evocative scene as hoto glow in the darkness.
A Roppo ritual that brings the glow of hoto and the mikoshi procession to the shrine approach at night
What to expect
After setting out from the subsidiary shrines in 7 hamlets, the festival procession takes a short break and lines up in front of Hiyoshi Shrine before entering the shrine.
From around 8 p.m., the processions gather in the shrine precincts, where ceremonies are held, including the chief priest’s recitation of prayers and the offering of tamagushi.
Afterward, people run along the shrine approach carrying hoto in both hands and shouting calls, while the main shrine mikoshi heads to Okamidō.
At Okamidō, the procession circles around with the mikoshi at its center.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Hiyoshi Shrine (Toyodamachi, Nakajima, Nanao City)
The Nanao Line can be used to reach Nanao City.
Source: 七尾市までのアクセス／七尾市
Address Toyodamachi, Nakajima, Nanao City (Hiyoshi Shrine)
Dates and season
- Season
Julylast Saturday
Accommodation and hotels PR
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Tips for your visit
The main events take place at night, and the gathering in the shrine precincts begins at around 8 p.m.
At Okamidō, hoto glow in the darkness, and during the procession, people carrying hoto run along the shrine approach.
Please take care not to obstruct the festival procession when choosing a viewing spot or moving around, particularly because the procession takes place at night and includes running.
Nearby attractions
のとじま臨海公園水族館
石川県七尾市にある水族館
大地主神社
石川県七尾市にある神社
石川県七尾美術館
石川県七尾市にある美術館
石川県能登島ガラス美術館
石川県七尾市にある美術館
Origins and History of Roppo Osuzumi Festival
The Roppo Noryosai is a Shinto ritual and festival that has continued since the Edo period.
It is said to have originated as a prayer to the gods to quell infectious diseases that were widespread in summer, and is also said to have developed from the gods’ evening cool-down.
The hoto are said to have grown larger over time as people competed to make the lanterns that light the gods’ feet, but their exact origin is unknown.
Official information
Nanao City provides information about the event period, venue, origins, festival procession, and distinctive features of the procession under the title “Roppo Noryosai (City-Designated Cultural Property).”
Roppo Osuzumi Festival at a Glance
Also known as the Roppo Osuzumi Festival, this Shinto ritual is held at Hiyoshi Shrine in Toyodamachi, Nakajima, Nanao City.
Processions from 7 hamlets and the main shrine mikoshi make their way in procession alongside hoto and drums, circling Okamidō.
Highlights include hoto glowing in the darkness of night and a procession running along the approach to the shrine amid loud calls.
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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