Takatsushinden Karasubisha

Festival highlights

A highlight is the archery ritual, in which participants shoot arrows at a target depicting a crow.

Shooting at the target to divine the year’s harvest gives the event a distinctive connection to agricultural life.

In addition, during Otōwatashi after the ritual, the outgoing and incoming caretakers face each other and drink sacred sake, rub their heads with a daikon radish dipped in salt, and tuck the duty roster into the new caretaker’s collar.

An archery event where participants shoot at a crow target to divine the harvest and pass on local responsibilities

What to expect

The event begins with a bow-and-arrow ritual in which participants shoot at a target depicting a crow to divine the year’s harvest.

This is followed by Otōwatashi, a handover ceremony for those responsible for caring for the shintai for 1 year.

The outgoing and incoming caretakers face each other, perform actions involving sacred sake and a daikon radish, and pass the Obisha duty roster to the new caretakers.

How to take part

During the ritual, participants shoot arrows in turn, beginning with the ujiko representative. Each participant shoots several arrows.

At the end, they hold an arrow in their hand and thrust it into the crow’s eye to pray for a good harvest.

Naorai and Otowatashi are then held.

Location and access

Venue and address

Suwa Shrine (Yachiyodai Nishi, former Takatsushinden)

Address

9-3-15 Yachiyodai-nishi, Yachiyo City

Address 9-3-15 Yachiyodai-nishi, Yachiyo City

Dates and season

It is held every year at Suwa Shrine on February 11.

The 2026 notice says it starts at around 9 a.m.

No information confirming the event time or whether it will take place in 2027 is available.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Origins and History of Takatsushinden Karasubisha

The origins of Takatsushinden Karasubisha are unclear.

Takatsushinden was established as a village in 1676, and the event is thought to have begun sometime afterward.

Records of Takatsu Obisha have been found from 1711 and 1737. The two events are introduced as local cultural traditions passed down since the Edo period.

Official information

Inquiries: Yachiyo City Board of Education, Culture and Sports Division, Cultural Properties Section 047-481-0304

Takatsushinden Karasubisha at a Glance

Takatsushinden Karasubisha is a New Year’s archery event held at Suwa Shrine.

Participants shoot at a crow target to divine the harvest, followed by Otōwatashi, a handover ceremony for those responsible for caring for the shintai.

It is passed down in Takatsushinden, established in 1676, and is introduced as a local tradition continuing since the Edo period.