Chiriku Hachiman Shrine Okayu-dameshi (Rice Porridge Divination Festival)

About this event

The Okayu-dameshi at Chiriku Hachiman Shrine is a festival with over 1,200 years of history, said to have been started in the first year of the Jinki era (724 AD) by Mibu no Harunari. Counted as one of Japan's Three Great Rice Porridge Festivals, it is open to the public every year on March 15. The 'Okayu-biraki' (uncovering of the porridge) takes place the day before on March 14, where the mold growth on the porridge is used to divine the year's weather, crop yield conditions, and omens regarding earthquakes, typhoons, and other events. In the town, it is affectionately known as 'Okai-san.' On the day of the festival, porridge served in a bronze sacred vessel is moved to the Okayu-do hall of Chiriku Hachiman Shrine and put on public view. Goshuin (shrine stamps) and stamp books are also granted, featuring attractive designs depicting white doves—messengers of the divine—and kachiguri (dried chestnuts).

Venue

Chiriku Hachiman Shrine

2415 Shirakabe, Miyaki-cho, Miyaki-gun, Saga 849-0111