Yaganemori Hachimangu Shrine Annual Grand Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include a procession led by kagura, followed by dashi floats.

The dashi retain influences from Kyoto’s Gion Festival, brought here by Kitamaebune trading ships, evoking Sai Village’s historic maritime connections.

The full procession, with mikoshi, kagura, and dashi moving through town, conveys the festival’s scale and the community’s bonds.

An autumn festival of kagura and dashi that keeps the memory of Kitamaebune ships alive

What to expect

The festival begins with Miya-yoi, followed by the annual grand festival rites, the mikoshi procession, kagura performances, and a joint dashi procession.

The dashi follow the kagura and mikoshi as the procession makes its way through Sai Village.

Over the course of a 3-day festival held both day and night, you can watch the religious rites and community processions.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address

The event is held throughout Sai Village, centered around Yaganemori Hachimangu Shrine (37 Hachimandō, Sai Village).

By car

Yaganemori Hachimangu Shrine is about 5 minutes by car from Alsus via National Route 338.

Parking

There is no parking at Yaganemori Hachimangu Shrine.

The Sai Village Tourism Association recommends using the parking lot at Alsus.

Source: 箭根森八幡宮 | 青森県佐井村を旅しよう！／佐井村観光協会

Address 37 Hachimandō, Sai Village, Shimokita District, Aomori Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the event was scheduled to begin with Miya-yoi on September 14 (Monday), followed by the annual grand festival on September 15 (Tuesday) and the 16th (Wednesday).

It is usually held over 3 days, from September 14 through the 16th.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The procession passes through Sai Village, so please watch from a place that does not obstruct traffic.

The areas around the procession may become crowded at certain times during the 3 days when the mikoshi and dashi are on the move.

The program differs between Miya-yoi and the annual grand festival, so it is a good idea to check the day’s information before visiting.

Nearby attractions

The Tsugaru Strait Culture Center Alsus is near Yane-mori Hachimangu Shrine.

According to the Sai Village Tourism Association, you can see arrowhead-shaped stones and pottery excavated from the grounds of Yane-mori Hachimangu Shrine at the Strait Museum on the 2nd floor of Alsus.

It’s a place where you can experience Sai Village’s history and local culture alongside the festival.

Origins and History of Yaganemori Hachimangu Shrine Annual Grand Festival

The date when Yaganemori Hachimangu Shrine was founded is unknown, but a record from Genroku 9 (1696) shows that permission was sought to hold a mikoshi procession, suggesting the shrine existed even earlier.

The annual grand festival is said to have begun in Genroku 9. Against the backdrop of trade with the Kamigata region via Kitamaebune ships, it preserves a tradition derived from Kyoto’s Gion Festival.

The dashi procession is also designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Aomori Prefecture.

Official information

Information on the 2026 event can be found in Aomori Prefecture’s Shimokita regional events listings.

Information from Sai Village and the Sai Village Tourism Association also includes the venue address, the festival’s origins, and its usual dates.

Yaganemori Hachimangu Shrine Annual Grand Festival at a Glance

The Yaganemori Hachimangu Shrine Annual Grand Festival is a 3-day autumn festival that has continued in Sai Village since the Genroku era.

The procession of kagura, mikoshi, and dashi through town carries on the influence of Kyoto’s Gion Festival, brought here via Kitamaebune trading ships.

In 2026, the event was scheduled to begin with Miya-yoi on September 14, followed by the annual grand festival on the 15th and 16th.