Kabashima Shrine Annual Festival

About this event

This is a traditional festival passed down in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture. On the first day, after kagura ritual dance is dedicated at the main hall of Kabashima Shrine, the sacred object is transferred to a portable shrine (mikoshi), and a procession descends to the resting point (otabisho). In particular, the powerful sight of young men called "rokushaku" carrying the mikoshi, running through the town, and enshrining it at the otabisho is impressive. Afterwards, handsomely dressed boat masters board the ship, and with unique boat-hauling songs as the cue, spectators join together to tow the vessel "Horaimaru" to the otabisho. Entertainment by the rokushaku crew and the women's association is also performed at the otabisho. On the second day, the return procession of the portable shrine and the towing of the Horaimaru take place, bringing the festival to a lively close. This festival is designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Goto City.

Venue

Kabashima Shrine

153 Motogama-cho, Goto, Nagasaki 853-2482