Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Festival: Mifune Matsuri

About this event

Held annually on October 15 and 16 at Kumano Hayatama Taisha—one of the three grand shrines of Kumano (Kumano Sanzan) in Shingu City—this annual grand festival is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property under the title 'Shingu no Hayatama Matsuri'. On the 15th, following the Honden Dai-mae ritual, the Shinme Togyoshiki (sacred horse procession) takes place from 14:00, followed by the Otabisho sacred rite in the evening. On the 16th, following the Mikoshi Togyoshiki (portable shrine procession) at 14:00, the Mifune Matsuri begins at 16:30, and the Otabisho rite takes place at 17:30. Over the two days, visitors can witness both the heroic Mifune Boat Festival and the quiet, ancient Otabisho rites. A race of nine swift boats (Hayabune) leads the beautifully decorated sacred boats, renowned as the premier boat festival in Nanki. In 2016 (Heisei 28), it was designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property along with Kamikura Shrine's Oto Matsuri.

Venue

Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine

1 Shingu, Shingu, Wakayama 647-0081