Shinsui’s distinctive feather-tossing ritual, passed down amid flames and a circle in the snow
Shinsui’s Dorakujin and Hanekkee-shi
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- The grounds of Shinsui Chinju-sama Shrine
- Area
- Niigata Prefecture・Tokamachi City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 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.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
At Shinsui’s Dorakujin and Hanekkee-shi, dried squid is roasted over the flames of New Year decorations, and a pheasant’s feathers are thrust upward with a wooden plow. It is an intangible folk cultural property of Tokamachi City passed down since the Edo period.
About Shinsui’s Dorakujin and Hanekkee-shi
Shinsui’s Dorakujin and Hanekkee-shi is an event passed down at the grounds of Shinsui Chinju-sama Shrine in Nakajo, Tokamachi City.
The event consists of 2 scenes: Dorakujin, in which New Year decorations are burned, and Hanekkee-shi, in which a shuttlecock is thrust upward with a wooden plow.
It is an intangible folk cultural property rooted in the community and designated as a cultural property by Tokamachi City.
The event is currently suspended.
Source: ハネッケェーシ | 十日町市観光協会 / 指定文化財／十日町市 / 指定・登録文化財一覧 – 十日町市博物館 TOPPAKU｜TOKAMACHI CITY MUSEUM
Festival highlights
Highlights include the flames from burning New Year decorations, followed by an action resembling shuttlecock batting.
The shuttlecock is made from utsugi wood and pheasant flight feathers, and is thrust upward with a wooden plow called a kosuki.
It is said that a large group forms a circle and bats a shuttlecock, and that anyone who drops it gets snow thrown on them—a distinctive turn of events.
Shinsui’s distinctive feather-tossing ritual, passed down amid flames and a circle in the snow
What to expect
The event begins with making New Year decorations for Dorakujin. The decorations are burned, and dried squid is roasted over the flames.
Then, for Hanekkee-shi, a shuttlecock made from utsugi wood and pheasant flight feathers is thrust upward with a wooden plow.
Participants form a circle and bat the shuttlecock; if anyone drops it, snow is thrown on them.
How to take part
The event is said to include a scene where a large group forms a circle and bats a shuttlecock.
However, no information is provided about whether members of the general public can participate or how visitors are distinguished from local participants.
The event is currently suspended, so you cannot visit on the assumption that you will be able to participate.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The grounds of Shinsui Chinju-sama Shrine in Nakajo, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture.
- By car
It is listed as 9 km from Tokamachi Station, a 15-minute drive.
Address Shinsui Chinju-sama , Nakajo, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
Dates and season
The event is currently listed as suspended.
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 Niigata Prefecture / Tokamachi City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The event is currently suspended, so check its status before visiting to see it.
Even if the event resumes, scenes involving fire and snow occur, so it is important to watch from a place that does not interfere with the event.
The venue is listed as the grounds of Shinsui Chinju-sama Shrine.
Nearby attractions
十日町市博物館
新潟県十日町市にある博物館
十日町市立里山科学館 越後松之山「森の学校」キョロロ
新潟県十日町市にある博物館
写真：Kentaro Ohno さん https://www.flickr.com/photos/inucara/ / CC BY 2.0
Photo source ·Origins and History of Shinsui’s Dorakujin and Hanekkee-shi
Shinsui’s Dorakujin and Hanekkee-shi is registered as an intangible folk cultural property of Tokamachi City.
The Tokamachi City Museum’s list gives the period as “Edo period onward” and the location as Shinsui.
No details are provided about its origins or how it changed over time.
Official information
The Tokamachi City Tourism Association’s event information is listed as a source for checking the event status and contact details.
The contact is Tobikoshi Community Center. Weekday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the phone number is 025-759-2032.
You need to inquire in advance about participating or observing after the event resumes.
Shinsui’s Dorakujin and Hanekkee-shi at a Glance
Shinsui’s Dorakujin and Hanekkee-shi is an event consisting of Dorakujin, in which New Year decorations are burned, and Hanekkee-shi, in which a shuttlecock is thrust upward with a wooden plow.
It is characterized by roasting dried squid over the flames and batting a shuttlecock while standing in a circle.
It is known as an intangible folk cultural property passed down since the Edo period, but the event is currently suspended.
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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