Aoi Aso Shrine Annual Grand Festival: Okunchi Festival

About this event

This is the largest historical festival in the Kuma region, held over an extended period every year from October 3 to October 11, set in and around the National Treasure Aoi Aso Shrine and the central downtown area of Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Locally, it is affectionately known as 'Okunchi' ('Aoi-san no Okunchi'). The main climax of the festival is the 'Shinkosai (Main Festival)' on October 9. On this day, centering around portable shrines (mikoshi), a grand historical procession of around 1,000 people—including Shinto priests, samurai warriors clad in armor, children in colorful traditional costumes (chigo), powerful lions (shishi), and ceremonial horses (guboume)—parades through the streets of Hitoyoshi solemnly yet with great vitality. In the 'Shinko Procession,' one of the main highlights, a massive procession of shrine parishioners dressed in traditional costumes evoking the Heian to Edo periods crosses the bright red Misogi Bridge of Aoi Aso Shrine and heads into the castle town, creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight. In addition, the famous 'Aoi no Shishi' (lions) rampaging at the head of the procession and at key spots approach spectators with dynamic movements, based on the folklore that 'having your head bitten by the lion brings good health without illness and helps children grow up wise.' Furthermore, 'uma-oi' (horse driving), where beautifully decorated horses are guided with spirited shouts, is also dedicated, and the dynamic horses moving against the backdrop of the clear waters of the Kuma River are truly impressive. Along with serving as a harvest festival to give thanks for the rich bounty of autumn, this festival has been held since ancient times to pray before the deities for peace in the domain, the good health of its people, and the further prosperity of the castle town. Blending the climate of Hitoyoshi and Kuma, samurai culture, and the energy of townspeople, this extremely prestigious festival tradition has been carefully passed down unchanged for hundreds of years.

Venue

Aoi Aso Shrine

118 Kamiaoimachi, Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto 868-0005