A traditional religious rite in which a giant rice-straw snake is made, and prayers are offered for the water deity and abundant harvests in Hikimi
Warajagami Ritual
The 2026 edition of Warajagami Ritual has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/29 〜 2026/08/30Ended
- Season / frequency
- It is listed as usually taking place in August. / Every year
- Location
- Ishidani, Hikimi-cho, Masuda City (meeting point: Masuda City Hikimi-shimo Community Center)
- Area
- Shimane Prefecture・Masuda City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation
- Participation fee
- Free (an additional accommodation fee applies if staying overnight. 1-night, 2-meal stay with shared cooking: 5,000 yen)
- Required number of participants
- 6 people per day
- Last updated
- 2026/11/12
The Warajagami ritual, passed down in Ishidani, Hikimi-cho, Masuda City, is a traditional event in which a snake about 8 meters long is made from rice straw and wrapped around a sacred tree. Prayers are offered for abundant harvests and in gratitude to the water deity.
About Warajagami Ritual
The Warajagami ritual is a traditional religious rite passed down in Ishidani, Hikimi-cho, Masuda City, and is a Masuda City-designated intangible folk cultural property.
They make a snake-shaped figure about 8 meters long from rice straw and wrap it around an ancient sacred tree.
Through prayers to the water deity, they pray for abundant harvests and continue to preserve the rite passed down in the community.
Festival highlights
One highlight is the process of shaping a snake as long as about 8 meters, carefully arranging the rice straw one stalk at a time.
The finished straw serpent is wrapped around an old camellia tree behind the shrine, where prayers are offered.
The event is distinctive not only for the sight of the huge straw serpent, but also for the entire sequence, from hands-on work to the religious rite.
A traditional religious rite in which a giant rice-straw snake is made, and prayers are offered for the water deity and abundant harvests in Hikimi
What to expect
The 2026 hands-on program was described as a two-day process: on the first day, participants arranged rice straw and made a straw serpent about 8 meters long; on the second day, after the religious rite, they wrapped it around an old camellia tree and offered prayers.
The hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on August 29 and 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 30th.
Participants worked together with local people, from making the figure through to prayer.
How to take part
For the 2026 hands-on making program, participants were invited to join local people in everything from making the straw serpent through to prayer.
Students, solo participants, and beginners were welcome, and the information said it was possible to participate for just 1 day.
No information was provided about whether general viewing without participation was allowed.
The 2026 hands-on making program required advance registration. The application period was from July 9 to August 28, with a capacity of 6 people per day.
Participation is free, but those wishing to stay overnight must pay an additional accommodation fee. A shared-cooking, 1-night, 2-meal stay was listed at 5,000 yen.
Location and access
- Venue and address
益田市匹見町石谷／集合：益田市匹見下公民館（益田市匹見町澄川イ327）
- Train and bus
No information available
- By car
The meeting point is the parking lot at Masuda City Hikimi-shimo Community Center
- Parking
Parking lot at Masuda City Hikimi-shimo Community Center
Address I 327, Sumikawa, Hikimi-cho, Masuda City (meeting point)
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The event was scheduled for August 29, 2026 (Sat.) and the 30th (Sun.). On August 29, it ran from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; on the 30th, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event could be canceled in case of rain, and applicants were to be notified by email.
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 Shimane Prefecture / Masuda City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The 2026 hands-on program information stated that participants needed rubber boots, work gloves, and comfortable clothes that could get dirty.
As there are no shops or vending machines nearby, participants were advised to bring their own drinks.
Those wishing to stay overnight should also bring an overnight bag.
Nearby attractions
島根県立石見美術館
島根県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
島根県芸術文化センター グラントワ
島根県益田市有明町にある芸術文化施設
Origins and History of Warajagami Ritual
The Warajagami ritual is designated by Masuda City as a traditional religious rite passed down in Ishidani, Hikimi-cho.
The account describes how the area where the rite has been handed down now has 3 households, and, with an aging rate of 100%, maintaining the settlement is becoming difficult.
People from the area gather to perform the religious rite, and efforts are underway to pass the tradition on for generations to come.
Warajagami Ritual at a Glance
The Warajagami ritual is a city-designated intangible folk cultural property passed down in Ishidani, Hikimi-cho, Masuda City.
They arrange rice straw to make a snake about 8 meters long, wrap it around a sacred tree, and pray for abundant harvests and in gratitude to the water deity.
The 2026 hands-on program was described as involving the process from making the figure through to prayer on August 29 and the 30th.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/12
