Yakujin Festival

A ritual for praying to ward off misfortune is held at Uchibayashi Yakujingu in Sonobe-cho, Nantan City. The event is also known for amazake, bonfires, and manju for warding off misfortune.

About Yakujin Festival

The Yakujin Festival is a shrine ritual for warding off misfortune held at Uchibayashi Yakujingu in Uchibayashi, Sonobe-cho, Nantan City.

Worshippers come from within and outside Nantan City, including those reaching the age of great misfortune—42 for men and 33 for women, by traditional age reckoning.

This local annual event gives people a chance to pray at the shrine to ward off misfortune.

Source: 内林厄神宮大祭 / 京都府 -【JAPAN 47 GO】

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the prayer for warding off misfortune at Uchibayashi Yakujingu.

After praying, visitors can enjoy warm amazake served to them and pray for happiness throughout the year while warming themselves by the bonfire.

The yakuyoke manju, said to be a specialty of Yakujin-san, is another treat to enjoy when visiting this festival.

Praying for a safe and happy year at Uchibayashi’s Yakujin-san

What to expect

Worshippers visit Uchibayashi Yakujingu to pray for protection from misfortune.

Afterward, visitors pray for happiness throughout the year while enjoying amazake and spending time around the bonfire.

The custom of receiving red-and-white jōyō manju and yakuyoke manju for warding off misfortune is also mentioned.

Source: 厄神祭 | イベント一覧 | 京都府観光連盟公式サイト

Location and access

Venue and address: Hachiman Shrine (Uchibayashi Yakujingū) / Uchibayashi-chō, Sonobe-chō, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture
Train and bus: 10 minutes by taxi from Sonobe Station on the JR Sagano Line
By car: No information available
Parking: No information available

参拝時間：8時～17時30分

Address Uchibayashi-chō, Sonobe-chō, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season: Annually in January
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 Kyoto Prefecture / Nantan City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Nearby attractions

Tourist attractions listed near the venue include the Nantan City Museum of Culture, the Nantan City International Exchange Hall, Roadside Station Kyoto Shinkōetsu Village, Sonobe Castle Ruins, and Ikimi Tenmangu Shrine.

The straight-line distance from the venue is 1.1 km to both the Nantan City Museum of Culture and the Nantan City International Exchange Hall, and 1.3 km to both Sonobe Castle Ruins and Ikimi Tenmangu Shrine.

You can explore the history and culture of the Sonobe area alongside the festival.

Official information

The official website of the Kyoto Tourism Federation lists the Yakujin Festival’s venue, address, date, and access information.