Uchiwara Festival

An autumn festival in Hidaka Town, featuring offerings of oni-jishi, lion floats, Yotsu-daiko, and a procession at Uchiwara Oji Shrine.

About Uchiwara Festival

The Uchiwara Festival is the annual autumn grand festival held at Uchiwara Oji Shrine in Hidaka Town, Wakayama Prefecture.

Locally, it is called the “Autumn Festival of Uchiwara Oji” or simply the “Autumn Festival,” and 4 districts take part in the offerings.

Oni-jishi, , Yakko Odori dances, and floats appear, as local performing arts and festival rites are passed down with the shrine at their center.

Source: 内原王子神社例大祭 | 和歌山県文化情報アーカイブ / 内原祭 - Wikipedia

Festival highlights

Highlights include the oni-jishi dance performed by the district on duty and the lion floats and Yotsu-daiko that arrive in turn from each district.

Taiko floats carrying Yotsu-daiko or Yakko-daiko appear, and visitors can enjoy the powerful sound of the drums being struck.

The sacred procession with the mikoshi, the Hoei no Mai dance, and performances from each district follow one another, bringing the shrine rites and local performing arts together in one event.

An autumn festival in Uchiwara, Hidaka Town, echoing with oni-jishi and taiko drums

What to expect

The rites proceed from a ceremony before the deity and a purification ceremony performed by young shrine maidens to a sacred procession featuring the mikoshi from the main hall, the Hoei no Mai dance, the Oni-jishi dance, and performances from each district.

The lion floats and Yotsu-daiko then enter the shrine precincts.

In the afternoon, the mikoshi travels to the , where offerings are made with the mikoshi and performances from each district, bringing the festival to a close.

Location and access

Venue: Uchiwara Oji Shrine

Event venue 和歌山県日高町内原王子神社

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

Frequency: Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Wakayama Prefecture / Hidaka Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Origins and History of Uchiwara Festival

A document concerning the origins of the Uchiwara Festival records the existence of a mikoshi made in Meiwa 5 (1764) for the main shrine hall.

The date of manufacture was confirmed during repairs in Heisei 15; the history before that is unknown.

Today, the oni-jishi from the 4 districts take turns serving as the district on duty each year, and the lion from that district is offered as part of the festival.

Official information

Details about the event and venue can be found in the Wakayama Prefecture Cultural Information Archive under “Uchiwara Oji Shrine Grand Festival.”

The Hidaka region tourism information website also features the Uchiwara Festival, held at Uchiwara Oji Shrine.

Source: 内原祭り | 紀中を巡るHidaka History