Gion Shrine Autumn Grand Festival: Okunchi Festival

About this event

Held every year on October 9 at Gion Shrine, enshrined in Kuraoka, Gokase Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, the "Okunchi Festival" is an autumn grand festival. As autumn deepens, it is a traditional festival visited by many worshippers from afar. The main highlight of this festival is the "Usudaiko Dance" dedicated in the afternoon. Kuraoka is a place where legends of the fleeing Heike clan remain. It is said that when Nasu no Daihachiro, a Genji general who visited to subjugate the Heike, saw the Heike people living peacefully here, he said, "Shall we dance together in remembrance of the capital?" and started it. As an autumn feature of Gokase where historical romance and local prayers intersect, it captivates many people. The ceremony begins at 10:00 AM, followed by Sanban Kagura after the ceremony, Naorai (ceremonial feast) from 12:00 PM, the dedication of the Usudaiko Dance from 1:00 PM, and Gion Kagura performed after the Usudaiko Dance concludes.

Venue

Gion Shrine

6066 Kuraoka, Gokase-cho, Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki 882-1201