A traditional festival of toin steeped in myth and water-deity worship
Toko Yasaka Shrine Toin Observance
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year July / Every year
- Location
- Toko Yasaka Shrine–Funakoshi Waterway
- Area
- Akita Prefecture・Katagami City, Oga City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 40 min–4 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Ushinori and Choman accompany the procession, bringing to life the myths and beliefs passed down around Lake Hachirogata.
About Toko Yasaka Shrine Toin Observance
The Toin (統人) observance at Toko Yasaka Shrine is a festival rooted in the toin system, passed down in Tenno, Katagami City, and Funakoshi, Oga City, Akita Prefecture.
The toin of Tenno and Funakoshi divide the duties and carry out observances throughout the year, including morning visits to the shrine and events involving offerings.
It is designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property as an observance linking the myth of Susanoo’s defeat of Yamata no Orochi with the water-deity beliefs passed down among farmers and fishers around Lake Hachirogata.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
Highlights include the Ushinori accompanying the mikoshi procession during the main festival in July, and a dance performed by Choman from the Funakoshi side.
The Ushinori is said to represent the enshrined deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto, while Choman represents Kushinada-hime.
Choman straddles a large rope stretched above a boat and performs 3 backward somersaults known as Chomankeri.
The arrow-shooting action performed in the past is no longer part of the observance.
A traditional festival of toin steeped in myth and water-deity worship
What to expect
The observances are carried out with duties divided among the toin, who oversee preparations of offerings, the conduct of the rites, and the mikoshi procession.
Annual events connected with preparations and offerings include miso boiling, burying and serving; sowing bean sprouts; building the Sakabeya; carving chopsticks; and welcoming kashiwa leaves.
In July, morning visits to the shrine take place every day until the main festival. Sacred sake, steamed rice, miso, bean sprouts and other offerings are placed in a tsurioke and presented before the shrine’s deity.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Toko Yasaka Shrine–Funakoshi Waterway.
The address is 47-100 Kamiegawa, Tenno, Katagami City, Akita Prefecture.
- Train and bus
5 minutes on foot from Tenno Station on the JR Oga Line.
- By car
25 minutes by car from Showa-Oga Peninsula IC.
- Parking
There is no parking lot.
Parking is reportedly available near the Funakoshi Waterway.
Source: 祭・イベント詳細： 東湖八坂神社祭 統人（とうにん）行事｜（一財）都市農山漁村交流活性化機構（まちむら交流きこう）
Address 47-100 Kamiegawa, Tenno, Katagami City, Akita Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
Every year July
- Frequency
Every year
Origins and History of Toko Yasaka Shrine Toin Observance
Toko Yasaka Shrine is said to have originated when General Tamura no Toshihito enshrined an item venerating Susanoo-no-Mikoto and built a shrine during the Enryaku era.
It is said to have been moved to its present location and begun holding festivals in Kohei 5 (1062).
The toin system and its annual observances have been passed down, and in Showa 61 (1986)January, the event was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property under the name “Toko Yasaka Shrine Festival Toin Observance.”
Source: 国指定重要無形民俗文化財 東湖八坂神社祭統人行事／潟上市
Official information
The “Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property: Toko Yasaka Shrine Festival Toin Observance” page on the Katagami City official website provides an overview of the shrine’s origins, the toin’s role, and the annual events.
Toko Yasaka Shrine Toin Observance at a Glance
The Toin (統人) observance at Toko Yasaka Shrine is a year-round festival preserved by the toin of Tenno, Katagami City, and Funakoshi, Oga City.
During the main festival in July, the mikoshi is paraded, and dances are performed by Ushinori and Choman.
It is a Nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property where the myth of Susanoo’s defeat of Yamata no Orochi and the water-deity beliefs around Lake Hachirogata come together.
Source: 東湖八坂神社統人行事 - 潟上市観光協会
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/10/19
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