The sacred horse and offering tradition that carry on Yatsushiro’s faith
Sacred horse in the sacred procession
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Main public viewing dates: November 22–November 23
- Location
- Myoken-machi (traditional site)
- Area
- Kumamoto Prefecture・Yatsushiro City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 10 min · flight time only)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
- 2026/11/15
The sacred horse appears in the Myoken Festival’s sacred procession, a tradition passed down in Myoken-machi, Yatsushiro City. The history of the offering, which began with a donation in 1684, and the current system of choosing those responsible by lottery have been passed down.
About Sacred horse in the sacred procession
The sacred horse in the sacred procession is part of the Myoken-gu Shrine festival tradition passed down in Myoken-machi, Yatsushiro City.
It began in 1684, when Yatsushiro Castle lord Matsui Naoyuki made a perpetual donation that included a stable for the sacred horse, a horse caretaker, and fodder. The successive lords of Yatsushiro Castle made offerings thereafter.
Today, the person responsible for offering the sacred horse the following year is chosen by lottery from among applicants at the Shimenō ceremony on December 1.
It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Yatsushiro City.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the sacred horse’s appearance in the Myoken Festival’s sacred procession.
From the Edo period through the Meiji and Taisho periods, the offering of the sacred horse was undertaken by Tanaka Village (Tanaka-machi), a parishioner district of Myoken-gu Shrine.
A system remains in place in which the offerer for the following year is selected by lottery from among applicants at the Shimenō ceremony on December 1.
What makes this tradition distinctive is not only the sacred horse itself, but also the system through which the community has passed down the role of offering it.
The sacred horse and offering tradition that carry on Yatsushiro’s faith
What to expect
The sacred horse appears in the Myoken Festival’s sacred procession.
Those wishing to take responsibility for offering the sacred horse are invited to apply at the Shimenō ceremony on December 1, and the offerer for the following year is selected by lottery from among them.
The tradition is said to date back to 1684, when the offering was made together with a stable for the sacred horse, a horse caretaker, and fodder.
The main public viewing dates are from November 22 to the 23rd.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Myoken-machi, Yatsushiro City (traditional site)
Event venue 熊本県八代市 妙見町
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Season
Main public viewing dates: November 22–November 23
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 Kumamoto Prefecture / Yatsushiro City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
八代宮
熊本県八代市にある神社
八代市立博物館・未来の森ミュージアム
熊本県八代市にある博物館
松浜軒
熊本県八代市にある、熊本藩家老松井家の邸宅と庭園
Origins and History of Sacred horse in the sacred procession
The offering of the sacred horse began in 1684, when Yatsushiro Castle lord Matsui Naoyuki made a perpetual donation that included a stable for the sacred horse, a horse caretaker, and fodder.
Thereafter, from the Edo period through the Meiji and Taisho periods, the offering was undertaken by Tanaka Village (Tanaka-machi), a parishioner district of Myoken-gu Shrine.
Today, those responsible for the offering are chosen by lottery from among applicants at the Shimenō ceremony on December 1, to determine the offerer for the following year.
Official information
保存団体：八代神社／関連サイト：保存団体：八代神社／関連サイト
Sacred horse in the sacred procession at a Glance
The sacred horse in the sacred procession is an offering made as part of the Myoken-gu Shrine festival tradition passed down in Myoken-machi, Yatsushiro City.
Beginning with a perpetual donation by the lord of Yatsushiro Castle in 1684, and continuing through offerings made by the parishioner district, today the offerer for the following year is chosen by lottery at the Shimenō ceremony on December 1.
The main public viewing dates are from November 22 to the 23rd, and it is also designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Yatsushiro City.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/15
