The Onna-shishi Dance and the Little New Year in Hakushu, watched over by Dosojin
Shimokuraishi Shishimai and Dosojin Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- It is usually held around January 14, during Little New Year. In recent years, it has been held on a holiday that falls on or before January 14. / 1 time a year
- Location
- Shimokuraishi area, Hakushu-cho, Hokuto City
- Area
- Yamanashi Prefecture・Hokuto City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · limited express)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
A Little New Year event passed down in Shimokuraishi, Hakushu-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, it combines and a Dosojin festival. A quiet, graceful dance known as the Onna-shishi makes its way through the settlement, and at night the Dosojin deities bless local homes.
About Shimokuraishi Shishimai and Dosojin Festival
The Shimokuraishi Shishimai and Dosojin Festival is a Little New Year event passed down in the Shimokuraishi area of Hakushu-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
This local festival combines shishimai and a Dosojin festival. The shishimai takes place from early morning until evening, while the Dosojin observances are held at night.
It is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property designated by Yamanashi Prefecture, and a local preservation group is responsible for passing it down.
Source: 下教来石の獅子舞と道祖神祭り 文化遺産オンライン
Festival highlights
A highlight is the quiet, graceful movements of the shishimai, known as the Onna-shishi.
Two dances have been passed down: the main dance, “Maku-no-uchi,” and “Ken-no-mai,” a dance to drive away evil spirits.
From morning until evening on Little New Year, the dancers make their way through the settlement. At night, stone statues representing the Dosojin deities make the rounds, blessing local homes.
Source: 山梨県／第63回関東ブロック民俗芸能大会
The Onna-shishi Dance and the Little New Year in Hakushu, watched over by Dosojin
What to expect
The event begins early in the morning on Little New Year, with the shishimai making its rounds through the settlement.
The shishimai includes two dances, “Maku-no-uchi” and “Ken-no-mai,” and is performed as the dancers visit homes throughout the area.
At night, stone statues representing the Dosojin deities make the rounds, offering blessings to local community leaders and households celebrating special occasions, among others.
Location and access
- Venue and address
It is held in the Shimokuraishi area of Hakushu-cho, Hokuto City.
Address Shimokuraishi area, Hakushu-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
It is usually held around January 14, during Little New Year.
In recent years, it has been held on a holiday that falls on or before January 14.
- Frequency
1 time a year
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 Yamanashi Prefecture / Hokuto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The shishimai is listed as starting at 4 a.m., so allow plenty of time if you plan to watch from early morning.
As the event involves visiting homes throughout the village, please be considerate and avoid disrupting local residents’ daily lives or the preservation society’s activities while watching.
Nearby attractions
北杜市オオムラサキセンター
山梨県北杜市長坂町にある昆虫館
北杜市考古資料館
山梨県北杜市にある資料館
山梨県立フラワーセンター ハイジの村
山梨県北杜市にあるテーマパーク
平山郁夫シルクロード美術館
山梨県北杜市にある美術館
清春白樺美術館
山梨県北杜市にある美術館
清里ポーセリンミュージアム
山梨県北杜市にある、マイセン磁器コレクションを展示する美術館
Origins and History of Shimokuraishi Shishimai and Dosojin Festival
This event is described as a Little New Year observance combining shishimai and a Dosojin festival, passed down for more than 300 years.
The shishimai belongs to the Daikagura-style tradition, common in Yamanashi Prefecture. Its performance as part of a Dosojin festival is considered a distinctive feature of shishimai in Yamanashi Prefecture.
In 2016, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Yamanashi Prefecture.
Source: 山梨県／山梨の文化財リスト（無形民俗文化財）
Official information
The Shimokuraishi Shishimai and Dosojin Festival is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property designated by Yamanashi Prefecture.
The preservation group is said to be the Shimokuraishi Shishimai and Dosojin Preservation Association.
For an overview of its cultural-property designation, consult cultural property information from Yamanashi Prefecture or the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Shimokuraishi Shishimai and Dosojin Festival at a Glance
The Shimokuraishi Shishimai and Dosojin Festival is a Little New Year folk event passed down in the Shimokuraishi area of Hakushu-cho, Hokuto City.
A quiet, graceful Onna-shishi dance makes its way through the settlement from early morning until evening.
At night, the Dosojin deities make the rounds, blessing local homes and carrying on a local culture that brings shishimai together with Dosojin beliefs.
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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