Muraya Shrine Autumn Festival (Annual Autumn Grand Festival)

About this event

The Annual Autumn Grand Festival of Muraya Shrine is the shrine's largest festival of the year celebrating the autumn harvest. In 2026, the Yoimiya Eve Festival will be held on Saturday, October 17, and the Hongu Main Festival on Sunday, October 18. At the Yoimiya Eve Festival, a dedicatory musical performance will take place at 16:00, followed by a kagura purification ritual by shrine maidens (miko) at 17:00. The Hongu Main Festival ceremony will begin at 11:00, followed by a dedicatory musical performance at 12:00, and the hereditary daidai-kagura dedicatory ritual starting at 14:00. The hereditary kagura of Muraya Shrine is a unique traditional performing art passed down for hundreds of years by the chief priest's family in this area, close to the Makimuku Ruins (the strongest candidate for the Kinai Yamataikoku theory) and often referred to as the birthplace of Japan. Preserving remnants of the era when Sarugaku, Gigaku, and Bugaku flourished, all traditionally transmitted kagura dances are dedicated, including Taira Kagura, the Sakaki Dance, the Fan Dance, the Sword Dance, the Spear Dance, the Sake Vessel (Choshi) Dance, and the Yudate (Boiling Water) Dance. The pure sound of the bells played by the miko is said to have originally been used by shrine maidens serving the deities to awaken sleeping gods, and today bells are used as musical instruments in rituals and dances. This festival is a sacred ritual expressing gratitude to the community and land while praying for fertility, and the "Bells of Happiness" are also rung to pray that good fortune will come to all visitors through Muraya Shrine's kagura dances.

Venue

Murayanimasu Mihotsuhime Shrine

426 Kurado, Tawaramoto-cho, Shiki-gun, Nara 636-0234