Negishi's summer festival, where a large sakaki mikoshi purifies the town
Sakaki Mikoshi
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Mid-August / Once every 3 years
- Location
- Negishi Hachiman
- Area
- Kanagawa Prefecture・Yokohama City(From Tokyo: approx. 30 min–1 h · 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The tradition at Negishi Hachiman Shrine in Isogo Ward, Yokohama, is a summer festival in which a large mikoshi made of sakaki branches is carried through the neighborhood. You can see Negishi's distinctive and procession, traditions kept alive by local people.
About Sakaki Mikoshi
The sakaki mikoshi procession features a mikoshi decorated with sakaki branches arranged in a cone, and takes place during the summer festival at Negishi Hachiman Shrine.
It has been passed down in the former village of Negishi, Isogo Ward, Yokohama, with local people serving as bearers, performers, and support staff.
The sakaki mikoshi has been passed down as a ritual to purify the town and is a precious cultural resource rooted in the community.
Source: 磯子区内の神社に関するイイ話 - sugigeki ページ！
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the sakaki mikoshi, about 3 meters tall and weighing over 400 kilograms.
The cone-shaped sakaki, arranged in shades of green, sways dramatically to the bearers' shouts, its leaves rustling.
Other distinctive features include bearers wearing flamboyant juban and makeup, and the flutes, , and gongs of the hayashi.
Negishi's summer festival, where a large sakaki mikoshi purifies the town
What to expect
As part of preparations for the festival, sakaki branches are soaked in water to make the mikoshi, and watering continues until the day of the event to keep them fresh.
A spirit-inviting rite is held the night before, and on the day, the mikoshi receives a purification at the shrine before proceeding through the neighborhood.
The procession moves in this order: the hayashi cart, sakaki mikoshi, children's mikoshi, and flower . It concludes in front of the sake station, where the sakaki is removed and taken home.
How to take part
The bearers of the sakaki mikoshi, hayashi performers, and support staff are primarily local residents.
In some cases, people involved in the local fire brigade serve as bearers, and the festival is supported by service to the community.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Negishi Hachiman Jinja (1-1 Nishicho, Isogo Ward, Yokohama).
Source: コース① 根岸に昔日の面影を探して | 横浜市磯子区の魅力発信ポータルサイト「ISOGO＋（愛称：いそぷら）」
Address 1-1 Nishicho, Isogo Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
Mid-August
- Frequency
Once every 3 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 Kanagawa Prefecture / Yokohama City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The large, heavy sakaki mikoshi is carried through the neighborhood, so please watch from the procession route while keeping safe and not obstructing the bearers or the procession.
As sakaki leaves fall, cleanup staff also follow the procession.
As this event takes place during a hot time of year, please take care of your health while watching.
Nearby attractions
The venue, Negishi Hachiman Shrine, is described as an old shrine nestled in a sacred grove designated a Prefectural Natural Monument, with a sacred ginkgo tree estimated to be 600 years old.
Nearby are Negishi Natsukashi Park, home to the former Yanashita Residence, and Negishi Forest Park.
At the former Yanashita Residence, you can visit a house with a Western-style building, designated a municipal tangible cultural property, while Negishi Forest Park has wide expanses of lawn.
よこはまコスモワールド
横浜市の遊園地
よこはま動物園ズーラシア
神奈川県横浜市にある動物園
コスモクロック21
神奈川県横浜市にある観覧車
三溪園
神奈川県横浜市中区にある庭園
安藤百福発明記念館横浜
横浜市にある博物館
山下公園
横浜市にある公園
新横浜ラーメン博物館
神奈川県横浜市港北区にあるフードテーマパーク
横浜みなと博物館
横浜港をテーマにした海事博物館
横浜マリンタワー
横浜港にあるタワー
横浜・八景島シーパラダイス
神奈川県横浜市金沢区にあるテーマパーク
横浜市歴史博物館
神奈川県横浜市都筑区にある歴史博物館
横浜美術館
神奈川県横浜市にある美術館
Origins and History of Sakaki Mikoshi
The sakaki mikoshi was once made using sakaki branches gathered from the mountains within the village, and a sea procession was also held.
The tradition came to an end in the late 30s of the Showa era when the sea was reclaimed. It was revived in Showa 60 by people from what is now Negishicho, Naka Ward, and has been held every 3 years since.
In Heisei 24, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Yokohama City.
Sakaki Mikoshi at a Glance
The sakaki mikoshi is a distinctive mikoshi procession held through the neighborhood during the summer festival at Negishi Hachiman Shrine.
The sakaki mikoshi, about 3 meters tall and weighing over 400 kilograms, sways as the sounds of hayashi and rustling leaves purify the town.
It is held once every 3 years in mid-August and passed down by local people.
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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