A spring procession connecting shrine and community, with a mikoshi descending steep stone steps
Yose Shrine Annual Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year April / Every year
- Location
- Yose Shrine
- Area
- Kanagawa Prefecture・Sagamihara City(From Tokyo: approx. 30 min–1 h · 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
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This spring annual grand festival, centered on a procession, is carried on at Yose Shrine in Yose, Midori Ward, Sagamihara. Highlights include the procession traveling from the shrine into the surrounding community and the adult mikoshi descending a steep stone staircase.
About Yose Shrine Annual Festival
The Yose Shrine Annual Festival is a spring annual grand festival held at Yose Shrine in Yose, Midori Ward, Sagamihara.
The mikoshi procession is a major highlight, traveling from the shrine through the community and on to the area around Lake Sagami.
It is introduced as a festival held during cherry blossom season and is also known locally as the “Yose Festival.”
The shrine has long been cared for by local residents.
Source: 與瀬神社 - 神奈川県神社庁
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the adult mikoshi descending a steep flight of 50 stone steps from the .
After that, child participants, the children’s mikoshi, and the adult mikoshi form a procession that passes Sagamiko Station, the area in front of Katsurakita Elementary School, and Omi Rock before returning to the shrine.
A procession is also held on the eve of the festival, and the event is presented as something everyone from children to older people can take part in.
Source: 与瀬神社例大祭
A spring procession connecting shrine and community, with a mikoshi descending steep stone steps
What to expect
In 2026, on the eve of the festival, the dashi departs from the First Gate, passes Sagamiko Station and the area in front of Katsurakita Elementary School, and heads to the dashi storehouse.
On the main festival day, the mikoshi leaves the shrine at 1 p.m. and makes 3 circuits of the shrine grounds before descending the stone steps and beginning the procession.
The child participants and children’s mikoshi proceed as far as the area in front of Katsurakita Elementary School, while the adult mikoshi goes as far as Omi Rock; they then return to Yose Shrine in the evening.
How to take part
People of all ages, from children to older adults, can join the dashi procession, including partway through.
According to the 2026 information, no advance registration is required to join the dashi procession; participants gather at the designated meeting place.
By contrast, advance registration is required to take part as chigo, and registration for this year is reported to have closed.
You will need to check the individual guidance for the eligibility requirements for children carrying the mikoshi.
If you plan to join the 2026 dashi procession, gather near the First Torii along the national highway at around 5:45 p.m. on April 11.
Advance registration is not required, and you may join along the way.
Children taking part as chigo get dressed at the Kamimachi Community Center, so please follow the announced meeting time and place, complete advance registration, and then join.
Source: お稚児さんに参加する保護者の方へ | 与瀬神社例大祭
Location and access
- Venue and address
Yose Shrine (1392 Yose, Midori Ward, Sagamihara).
The festival procession passes places including Yose Shrine, the First Torii Gate, Sagamiko Station, the area in front of Katsurakita Elementary School, and Omi Rock.
- Train and bus
Sagamiko Station is on the procession route.
Address 1392 Yose, Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0171
Dates and season
In 2026, the Yoimiya Festival will be held on April 11 (Saturday), and the main festival on April 12 (Sunday).
For the Yoimiya, the dashi is scheduled to depart from the First Torii at 6 p.m. and arrive at the dashi storehouse at 8 p.m.
The main festival is scheduled to begin with the mikoshi leaving the shrine at 1 p.m. It will depart from the First Torii at 2 p.m. and return to Yose Shrine at 5 p.m.
Accommodation and hotels PR
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Tips for your visit
During the main festival, the mikoshi descends a steep 50-step stone staircase, so be mindful of the activity around you when choosing a place to watch.
The procession makes its way along the route, stopping to rest at places such as Sagamiko Station and in front of Katsurakita Elementary School.
The meeting places and times differ between the Yoimiya and the main festival, so participants should check the guidance for the event they plan to join before setting out.
Nearby attractions
Yose Shrine is located overlooking Lake Sagami, and the festival procession also passes by Sagamiko Station and Omi Rock.
Alongside the festival, you can visit the shrine grounds and enjoy the scenery around Lake Sagami.
Please check the opening hours of nearby facilities and the conditions for using them on the festival day before your visit.
亀ヶ池八幡宮
神奈川県相模原市中央区にある神社
氷川神社
神奈川県相模原市中央区にある神社
神明大神宮
神奈川県相模原市緑区にある神社
Origins and History of Yose Shrine Annual Festival
Yose Shrine is said to have been moved to its present location from a shrine formerly on the north bank of the Sagami River.
A founding legend also survives, telling that when an epidemic spread, the deity was enshrined in a pure place to protect the village.
The annual grand festival has been held as a mikoshi procession associated with prayers for protection from epidemics, and has been preserved by local residents.
Source: 「与瀬神社例大祭」が開催されます｜相模原市自治会連合会
Official information
The history of the shrine and the usual dates of its annual grand festival can be checked in the Yose Shrine listing from the Kanagawa Prefecture Association of .
The times and participation details for the 2026 eve-of-festival observance and main festival are listed on the Yose Shrine Annual Festival information page.
Yose Shrine Annual Festival at a Glance
The Yose Shrine Annual Festival is a spring festival known for the mikoshi descending a steep stone staircase and processing through the community.
In 2026, the eve-of-festival observance is scheduled for April 11 and the main festival for April 12. The procession includes a dashi, child participants, and a children’s mikoshi.
Anyone may join the dashi procession without registering in advance, but advance registration is required for child participants.
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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