A local procession chanting nenbutsu as Dojosan is passed on to the next home
Shimoiu Dojosan
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- From December into the New Year
- Location
- Shimoiu, Ichishi-cho
- Area
- Mie Prefecture・Tsu City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train + connecting 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
- Last updated
- 2026/11/12
Shimoiu Dojosan is an intangible folk cultural property of Shimoiu, Ichishi-cho, Tsu City, in which a standing statue of Amida Nyorai is passed among all households on a one-year rotation, then handed on to the next home through nenbutsu chanting and a procession.
About Shimoiu Dojosan
Shimoiu Dojosan is an intangible folk cultural property passed down in Shimoiu, Ichishi-cho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture.
The standing statue of Amida Nyorai, known as “Dojosan,” is passed among all households on a one-year rotation. The household entrusted with the statue and its head are also called Dojosan.
The event links local faith with daily life: for example, the household that receives the Buddhist statue serves as the district’s “temple” and welcomes visitors who come to pray.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the house-to-house procession that carries Dojosan to the next home.
In the procession, people carry various ritual objects and chant as they walk, moving the Buddhist statue to the altar in the next home.
The local practice also differs from ordinary festivals: the household entrusted with the Buddhist statue takes on the role of a temple and welcomes visitors who come to pray.
A local procession chanting nenbutsu as Dojosan is passed on to the next home
What to expect
The event begins with the house-moving nenbutsu in December. Once the New Year begins, each household makes its first visit of the year to the home where Dojosan is kept.
After that, the house-moving nenbutsu is performed at the new home.
During the house move, people carry ritual objects and chant nenbutsu as they proceed in a procession, moving Dojosan to the altar in the next home.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Shimoiu, Ichishi-cho, Tsu City
Address Shimoiu, Ichishi-cho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
From December into the New 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 Mie Prefecture / Tsu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
ルーブル彫刻美術館
三重県津市の美術館
三重県立美術館
三重県津市にある公立美術館
三重県総合博物館
三重県津市にある公立博物館
石水博物館
三重県津市にある博物館
Official information
The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Cultural Heritage Online lists an overview, location, and event details for Shimoiu Dojosan.
“Shimoiu Dojosan” is also listed in the designated cultural properties section of Tsu City’s official website.
Shimoiu Dojosan at a Glance
Shimoiu Dojosan is an intangible folk cultural property of Shimoiu, Ichishi-cho, Tsu City, in which a standing statue of Amida Nyorai is passed among households on a one-year rotation.
Following the house-moving nenbutsu in December and the New Year’s first visit to the statue, a procession carries the statue to the altar in the next home while carrying ritual objects and chanting.
The arrangement in which the household entrusted with the statue welcomes visitors to pray as the district’s “temple” shows how the event preserves local faith in everyday life.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/12
