Yoshinogawa City’s Yuyukagura: Prayers amid steam and droplets
The Yuyukagura Ritual
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Location
- Hachiman Shrine
- Area
- Tokushima Prefecture・Yoshinogawa City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 15 min–1 h 35 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
- 2026/11/11
The Yuyukagura Ritual was held at Hachiman Shrine in Gaku, Kawashima-cho, Yoshinogawa City, where people prayed for health and protection from illness throughout the year while being exposed to steam and droplets. This local ritual uses hot water with leaves floating in it and a bundle of bamboo grass.
About The Yuyukagura Ritual
The Yuyukagura Ritual is a religious ceremony held at Hachiman Shrine in Gaku, Kawashima-cho, Yoshinogawa City.
It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Yoshinogawa City, and members pray for health and protection from illness throughout the year.
A , an altar, and a large cauldron are set up in the , where prayers are offered amid steam and droplets.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the Yuyukagura performed amid the white steam rising from a large cauldron.
The chief priest dips a bundle of bamboo grass into hot water with sakaki leaves floating in it, then vigorously shakes it from side to side.
The scene conveys a distinctive form of prayer through hot water, as ujiko members pray for good health while being exposed to steam and droplets over their entire bodies.
Yoshinogawa City’s Yuyukagura: Prayers amid steam and droplets
What to expect
For the ritual, a shimenawa is hung in the shrine grounds, and an altar and a large cauldron are prepared.
The chief priest dips a bundle of bamboo grass into hot water with sakaki leaves floating in it and shakes it, while ujiko members pray for good health as they are exposed to steam and droplets.
Participants take home the bamboo grass and talismans used in the ritual to offer them at their household kamidana.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Hachiman Shrine (158-2 Yawata, Gaku, Kawashima-cho, Yoshinogawa City)
Address 158-2 Yawata, Gaku, Kawashima-cho, Yoshinogawa City
Origins and History of The Yuyukagura Ritual
A tradition is recounted that the Yuyukagura Ritual was already being performed in the mid-Edo period.
The ritual is said to have a long history. It is still passed down through the act of dipping bamboo grass in hot water and shaking it, as well as prayers for health and protection from illness throughout the year.
It is also designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Yoshinogawa City.
The Yuyukagura Ritual at a Glance
The Yuyukagura Ritual is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Yoshinogawa City, held at Hachiman Shrine to pray for health and protection from illness throughout the year.
It is characterized by dipping bamboo grass in water heated in a large cauldron and shaking it, while ujiko members are sprinkled with steam and droplets.
There is also a tradition of offering the bamboo grass and talismans used in the ritual at the household kamidana.
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 Tokushima Prefecture / Yoshinogawa City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
