A green-bamboo Ohage races through three towns in a New Year’s rite praying for a good harvest with a lion
Yoiyo Shinji (Shiinou Shinji)
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- February 11
- Location
- Waya, Tatsuta, and Asada towns (Hatakeda , Anashi Jinja, Oita Jinja)
- Area
- Mie Prefecture・Matsusaka City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train + connecting train)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
- 2026/11/12
A New Year’s celebratory rite passed down in Waya, Tatsuta, and Asada towns in Matsusaka City, in which an Ohage made from green bamboo is carried from town to town. Through grappling with a lion and enshrining the Ohage at a jinja, the community’s prayers for a good harvest are passed down.
About Yoiyo Shinji (Shiinou Shinji)
The Yoiyo (Shiinou Shinji) is a New Year’s celebratory rite passed down in Waya, Tatsuta, and Asada towns, and is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Matsusaka City.
Young men carry the “Ohage”—a 7–8 m green bamboo pole with a attached—from one town to another.
The event links three communities: it starts at Hatakeda Jinja in Waya Town, passes through Tatsuta Town, and ends with the Ohage being enshrined at Oita Jinja in Asada Town.
Festival highlights
A highlight is watching the large green bamboo Ohage, with a gohei attached, being carried across the town boundaries.
The Ohage sets out from Waya Town, is seen off by the lion, and races along Tatorinawate in one go.
At a town boundary, a young man thrusts the Ohage in at an angle and runs back. The lion that comes to meet him grapples with him, and the intensity of the encounter is considered a sign of a good harvest.
A green-bamboo Ohage races through three towns in a New Year’s rite praying for a good harvest with a lion
What to expect
The shinji begins in Waya Town, where young men carry the Ohage while calling out “Yoiyo.”
In Tatsuta Town, they pull out the Ohage and take it home. After the ceremony at Anashi Jinja, villagers set off for Asada Town carrying willow twigs decorated with shide.
In Asada Town, a lion that has gone around purifying the village leads the welcoming party, and the Ohage is enshrined at Oita Jinja.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Waya, Tatsuta, and Asada towns (Hatakeda Jinja, Anashi Jinja, Oita Jinja)
Event venue 三重県松阪市 和屋町
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Season
February 11
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
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Nearby attractions
松坂城
三重県松阪市にある城
Origins and History of Yoiyo Shinji (Shiinou Shinji)
A local legend says that this shinji began when evil spirits were driven away because poor harvests continued as a result of Nagata no Shōji’s resentment after he was beheaded.
In the event as it is performed today, the Ohage is carried from town to town, welcomed by a lion, and finally enshrined at a jinja.
According to Matsusaka City materials, it was designated a municipal Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Showa 53November 11.
Official information
Matsusaka City Official Website, “Yoiyo Shinji (Shiinou Shinji)”
Yoiyo Shinji (Shiinou Shinji) at a Glance
The Yoiyo shinji is a New Year’s celebratory rite held across Waya, Tatsuta, and Asada towns, in which young men carry an Ohage made from 7–8 m of green bamboo.
The lion sees it off, and at the town boundaries the young men grapple with the lion. The Ohage then passes through Tatsuta and is enshrined at Oita Jinja in Asada.
Against the backdrop of a local legend about Nagata no Shōji’s resentment and a poor harvest, the event has been passed down as a folk tradition in which the community prays for a good harvest.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/12
