A day of prayer on Aogashima, joined by purification and dance
Yomiage Matsuri
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Area
- Tokyo Metropolis・Aogashima Village(Within Tokyo: approx. 15 min–1 h by train (central areas))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.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
Yomiage Matsuri is a ritual on Aogashima that takes a long time, from purification and the offering of dances to welcoming and seeing off the deities.
About Yomiage Matsuri
Yomiage Matsuri is a ritual that has been held on Aogashima.
In the past, people went to the coast to purify themselves with seawater, purified the with salt flowers, and then performed rituals such as the hot-water rite.
Afterward, the deities are welcomed and prayers are offered. Miko perform dances, and shrine attendants present seated dances, standing dances, and the hankō dance, among other offerings, before seeing the deities off.
Festival highlights
One of the highlights is that the ritual unfolds in several stages.
After purification with seawater and salt flowers, followed by a hot-water ritual, miko dance with fans, and shrine attendants perform seated dances, standing dances, and the hankō dance.
The event is described as lasting from morning until night, bringing together Aogashima’s prayers and performing arts.
A day of prayer on Aogashima, joined by purification and dance
What to expect
The event begins with purification.
People purify themselves with seawater and salt flowers and perform a hot-water ritual, then welcome the deities and offer prayers.
Miko dances with fans, along with seated dances, standing dances, and the hankō dance performed by shrine attendants, among other offerings. The sequence is described as ending with the deities being seen off.
Location and access
- Address
Aogashima Village
Host municipality 東京都青ヶ島村
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Origins and History of Yomiage Matsuri
No details are given about when Yomiage Matsuri began or how it changed over time, but it is said to have been passed down for many years as a ritual on Aogashima.
The island’s present-day existence is discussed in connection with its return to the island 55 years after the eruption during the Tenmei era, along with feelings of gratitude for divine protection.
Caring for shrines such as Ōsato , Higashidaidokoro Jinja, Konpira, and Tokai Jinja is also introduced as part of the island’s religious culture.
Yomiage Matsuri at a Glance
Yomiage Matsuri is a ritual on Aogashima in which people purify themselves with seawater and salt flowers, perform a hot-water ritual, welcome the deities, and offer prayers.
Miko perform dances with fans, and shrine attendants present seated dances, standing dances, and the hankō dance. The event is said to last about 12 hours, starting at 8 a.m.
It is described as a culture connected with the island’s return after the eruption during the Tenmei era and the ongoing care of its shrines.
Sources and references
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Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/11
