Matsuri Festivals
Hitoyoshi Okunchi Festival
Oct 3 – Oct 11 (4 dates) · Aoi Aso Shrine, Hitoyoshi · Kumamoto
This event has ended. See what is coming up next:
Dates
- Sat, Oct 3, 2026
- Mon, Oct 5, 2026
- Fri, Oct 9, 2026
- Sun, Oct 11, 2026
About this event
SummaryA traditional Shinto festival heralding the arrival of autumn, featuring sacred rituals and local performing arts.
Highlights
- Fire extinguishing ceremony on October 3
- Lion dance performer selection
- Purification ceremony at the hour of the tiger
- Procession with portable shrines and lion dances
- Offering ceremony for community safety
Details
This event is a traditional Shinto ritual known as Okunchi, passed down through the region. The festival begins with the Chin-ka, a fire extinguishing ceremony held on October 3. Subsequent activities include the Shishi-hoshi-sha chuusen-shiki, a ceremony to select lion dance performers, and the Tora no Koku Kuyo, a purification ritual performed during the hour of the tiger. The Kenpei-shiki offering ceremony follows, leading into the Kuma Kagura performance. A major highlight is the Shin-kō-shiki procession on October 9, which transports the deity using a portable shrine (mikoshi) accompanied by lion dances and local performing arts. The festival concludes on the final day with the Hōsai-sai ceremony, where prayers are offered for the safety and well-being of the community.
Also on the list: Matsuri Festivals in Kumamoto
No events on these dates. Try another filter.
