Kameyama Shrine Grand Festival

About this event

The Autumn Grand Festival of Kameyama Shrine is a celebration to express gratitude for nature's bounty and the harvest. On the day of the regular festival, Yabu (demon figures) and musical accompaniment troupes carry straw rice bags (tawara) through the shopping streets and residential areas of Kure, heading to Kameyama Shrine to make their offerings. During the dedication, the festival reaches its climax with intense scuffles between the Yabu and the rice bags, scuffles among the rice bags themselves, musical accompaniments of flutes and drums, women's portable shrines (megikoshi), and lion dances. For two days, starting with the Yoimiya-sai (eve-of-festival) on the previous night, numerous stalls line the shrine approach, filling the path and grounds with lively worshippers. To dedicate the newly harvested rice, the Yabu that ascend to the shrine grounds alongside local youth groups vigorously beat the dedicated Yabu drums.

Venue

Kameyama Shrine

1-9-36 Shimizu, Kure, Hiroshima 737-0022