Yamanaka Ansan Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the mikoshi circling 3 times clockwise around a mortar representing the sacred tree, or around the sacred tree on the shrine grounds, before reaching the otabisho or main shrine.

Women join the line of mikoshi bearers and sing sacred songs as they accompany the mikoshi.

The eve-of-festival program also features performances of the Yamanaka Myojin Taiko drums and kagura. Alongside the nighttime mikoshi procession, they convey the intensity of the festival.

Source: 安産祭り 祭礼進行表 - 山中諏訪神社 | 縁結・子授・子宝・安産・子育

A safe-childbirth festival at Lake Yamanaka, with a mikoshi procession and sacred songs

What to expect

After rites to welcome the spirit from the inner shrine and other preparations, the annual grand festival proceeds through the eve-of-festival celebration, main festival, and post-festival celebration.

During the eve-of-festival celebration, the mikoshi is paraded from the main shrine to the otabisho; during the main festival, it returns from the otabisho to the main shrine.

Before and after this, women praying for safe childbirth accompany the mikoshi, proceeding while singing sacred songs.

The post-festival celebration includes the closing-ceremony rites, as well as a children’s procession and sumo matches held as offerings every other year.

How to take part

In addition to watching the festival, pregnant women praying for safe childbirth, women hoping to have children, and women who have given birth and come to give thanks while carrying their children may join the procession as attendants to the mikoshi.

Participants join the line of mikoshi bearers and proceed with the mikoshi while singing sacred songs.

Since eligibility, arrangements for participation on the day, and the route are determined by the festival schedule, please follow the guidance provided at the site.

Women who wish to accompany the mikoshi take part by joining its procession during the Yoimatsuri and the main festival.

During the Yoimatsuri, the mikoshi travels from the honden to the otabisho; during the main festival, it travels from the otabisho to the honden. Before it arrives, worshippers joining the procession line up behind the mikoshi.

No information is provided about advance registration, where to check in, or participation fees, so please check for guidance around the shrine on the day.

Source: おしらせ - 山中諏訪神社 | 縁結・子授・子宝・安産・子育

Location and access

Venue and address

Yamanaka Suwa Shrine (13 Yamanaka, Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture) and the area around the otabisho, where the mikoshi heads during the annual grand festival.

Source: 山中湖明神安産祭り | イベント | 山中湖観光協会 公式ホームページ

Address 13 Yamanaka, Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the eve-of-festival celebration, main festival, and post-festival celebration are scheduled over 3 days, from September 4 through the 6th.

On September 4, the mikoshi travels from the main shrine to the otabisho, and on September 5, it returns from the otabisho to the main shrine.

On September 6, the closing-ceremony rites, a children’s procession, and sumo matches are scheduled. The children’s procession is held every other year.

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Tips for your visit

The mikoshi procession continues from evening into the late night. During the Yoimatsuri, it departs from the honden at 6:30 p.m. and arrives at the otabisho at 10:30 p.m.

The main festival also begins with the 6:30 p.m. return procession, and the mikoshi is placed in the honden at 10:45 p.m.

As worshippers joining the procession walk around the mikoshi, please do not block the route or impede the movement of the mikoshi or participants while watching.

Nearby attractions

Lake Yamanaka, home to Yamanaka Suwa Shrine, is a scenic destination surrounded by gently sloping mountains, with views of Mount Fuji to the southwest across the lake.

The Murasaki Squirrel Shrine-Grounds Walking Trail and the White Dragon Pine are among the attractions listed around the shrine grounds.

Among the places associated with the festival is the inner shrine on Mount Myojin, across Lake Yamanaka, which is described as being connected with the deity of the Ansan Festival.

Source: 神社の周辺案内 - 山中諏訪神社 | 縁結・子授・子宝・安産・子育

Museums and art museumsYamanakako Village

三島由紀夫文学館

作家三島由紀夫の文学館

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写真：Sakaori ( talk ) / CC BY 3.0

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Parks and gardensYamanakako Village

山中湖花の都公園

山梨県の公園・庭園のスポットです。

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写真：funk bass / CC BY 3.0

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Yamanaka Ansan Festival

The Yamanaka Ansan Festival has been passed down as a safe-childbirth prayer event held during the annual grand festival at Yamanaka Suwa Shrine.

The shrine is worshipped as a deity of safe childbirth. During the annual grand festival, the spirit is welcomed from the inner shrine, and the mikoshi is paraded between the main shrine and the otabisho.

In 2006, it was selected by the national government as an “Intangible Folk Cultural Property for which Measures Such as Record Creation Should Be Taken,” as an event whose origins and content reflect the distinctive features of everyday culture.

Official information

You can check the event dates and festival schedule in the “Ansanzuri Festival Schedule” published by Yamanaka Suwa Shrine.

The shrine’s “About the Ansanzuri Festival” page summarizes the festival’s purpose, the mikoshi route, and the role of the otabisho.

The Yamanakako Tourism Association’s event information also gives the event period, venue address, and main times for the day.

Yamanaka Ansan Festival at a Glance

The Yamanaka Ansan Festival is part of the annual grand festival at Yamanaka Suwa Shrine and is distinguished by women praying for safe childbirth or conception accompanying the mikoshi procession.

Each day features different events, including the mikoshi circling the sacred tree 3 times while sacred songs are sung, performances of taiko drums and kagura, and sumo matches held as offerings during the post-festival celebration.

This is a festival rooted in the local community, offering a glimpse into the connection between Lake Yamanaka and faith in Mount Myojin.