A traditional Gotsu event where rice divination and arrows shot at rice cakes carry the hopes of the community
Yamanaka Oaratame and Shishi-gari Event
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- The Sunday closest to day 13 of lunar month 3 / Every year
- Location
- Yamanaka Hachimangu Shrine and Amanomiya
- Area
- Shimane Prefecture・Gotsu 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
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This event takes place in the Yamanaka district of Hase, Sakurae-cho, Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture. The condition of the rice is examined, and arrows are shot at rice cakes representing wild animals. Two rituals are held on the same day: one to divine the prospects for rice cultivation, and another to ward off crop-damaging animals and pray for a good harvest.
About Yamanaka Oaratame and Shishi-gari Event
“Yamanaka Oaratame and Shishi-gari Event” is a traditional event handed down in the Yamanaka district of Hase, Sakurae-cho, Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture. It brings together two ceremonies as a series of rituals for ensuring a good harvest.
During “Oaratame,” the condition of the rice that serves as the sacred object is inspected. In “Shishi-gari,” arrows are shot at rice cakes representing wild animals, expressing hopes related to rice cultivation and hunting.
The event connects life in the mountains with prayers concerning crop damage caused by wild boar and deer.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
Highlights include “Oaratame,” in which rice is inspected as the sacred object, and “Shishi-gari,” in which arrows are shot at shitogi rice cakes representing wild boar and deer.
After the , shrine parish representatives and worshippers take turns shooting. Applause breaks out when an arrow hits, while misses that fall short of expectations bring laughter.
The final sharing of rice cakes, called “Ikari-wake,” is another distinctive part of the event.
A traditional Gotsu event where rice divination and arrows shot at rice cakes carry the hopes of the community
What to expect
The event begins in the afternoon, when parishioners gather in the of Yamanaka Hachiman Shrine.
Rice is brought from Amanomiya, and during “Oaratame,” a Shinto priest and shrine parish representatives inspect its color, luster, and any signs of insect damage. After a , the event moves on to “Shishi-gari.”
After shooting arrows at rice cakes representing wild animals, the cakes are shared, followed by a report on the divination by the chief priest, a naorai communal meal, rice-planting music, and .
How to take part
Worshippers do more than watch “Shishi-gari”: they may take turns receiving a bow and arrows and shooting at shishi dumplings.
The event is mainly organized by the shrine priests and shrine parishioner representatives, but it is also said that worshippers take turns shooting arrows.
During “Ikari-wake,” when rice cakes are shared, participants receive shitogi.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Yamanaka Hachimangu and Amanomiya on its grounds.
The location is Hase, Sakurae-cho, Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture.
- By car
Visitors are directed to the area around Yamanaka Hachimangu along Prefectural Route Sakurae-Kanagi.
Source: ヨシヒコの江津まち歩きツアー 桜江町長谷（令和5年3月31日） - 江津市ホームページ
Address Hase, Sakurae-cho, Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture
Dates and season
The event is held on the Sunday closest to day 13 of lunar month 3.
The event begins in the afternoon, with “O-aratame” followed by “Shishi-gari” and other activities.
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 / Gotsu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the event includes Shinto rituals and scenes involving bows and arrows, follow the instructions when watching so as not to disrupt proceedings.
The rice inspection during Oaratame is conducted privately by the Shinto priest and shrine parish representatives, so visitors should be considerate of which parts are open to the public and where they may go.
As the event takes place at a shrine in a mountainous area, comfortable walking clothes are recommended.
Nearby attractions
Nearby, east along Prefectural Route Sakurae-Kanagi from Yamanaka Hachimangu Shrine, is the hot spring resort Kaze no Kuni.
At Kaze no Kobo on the grounds, Katsuchi hanshi paper, designated a Gotsu City cultural property, is made and sold.
It is a place to visit alongside the event when exploring the local culture of Hase, Sakurae-cho.
小川家雪舟庭園
島根県江津市にある書院庭園
水の国
島根県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
島根県立しまね海洋館
日本の島根県浜田市、江津市にある水族館
Origins and History of Yamanaka Oaratame and Shishi-gari Event
This event has been passed down in the Yamanaka district, bringing together rituals related to rice cultivation and hunting.
In “Oaratame,” the prospects for crops are divined from the condition of the rice; “Shishi-gari” is performed to ward off animal damage and pray for a good harvest.
The event is also described in connection with hunting customs that have continued since the early modern period. In 2020, it was selected as an intangible folk cultural property requiring measures such as the creation of a record.
Official information
The Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties introduces the event’s name, location, season, and details.
The Shimane Prefectural Ancient Culture Center also provides an explanation of the event as a hunting ritual in the Yamanaka settlement.
An investigation report by the Gotsu City Board of Education has also been published.
Source: 山中のお改めとシシ狩り行事調査報告書 : 記録作成等の措置を講ずべき無形の民俗文化財 | NDLサーチ | 国立国会図書館
Yamanaka Oaratame and Shishi-gari Event at a Glance
The Yamanaka Oaratame and Shishi-gari Event combines “Oaratame,” in which the prospects for crops are divined by examining rice, and “Shishi-gari,” in which arrows are shot at rice cakes representing wild animals.
Prayers in this mountainous region for protection from damage caused by wild boar and deer and for a good harvest have been passed down alongside Shinto rituals, a naorai communal meal, rice-planting music, and kagura.
The event is held on the Sunday closest to day 13 of lunar month 3.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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