Ohata Hachimangu Shrine Annual Festival

About this event

A traditional festival passed down in Ohata-machi, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, with a history spanning approximately 300 years since Kyoho 3 (1718). Inheriting traditions from the Kyoto Gion Matsuri, it conveys a unique festival form fusing various elements such as floats (dashi), portable shrines (mikoshi), kagura, lion dances (shishimai), and noh dances (nohmai). Held annually for 3 days from September 14 to 16, the Yoimiya festival takes place on the 14th, followed by the main festival and the procession (togyo) of the portable shrine on the 15th and 16th. On the 15th, Kasuga Shrine serves as the resting point (otabisho), and the shrine returns (kangyo) on the 16th. On the night of the main festival, the paraded portable shrine is carried by young men dressed in white garments to the shouts of 'Hanyui.' In addition, at the Yoimiya festival, traditional local performing arts such as nohmai and kagura are performed at the Ohata Hachimangu Kagura Hall, and on the final day, the 'Hama-kito' beach prayer at Ohata Fishing Port, a synchronized dance of nohmai and kagura on the main street, and the grand float music (dashi no ranbayashi) take place, captivating spectators. The procession related to the togyo (and kangyo) was designated as an Aomori Prefecture Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2000 (Heisei 12). Each float represents its neighborhood, competing in the bravery of young and old pulling together, the luxury of the decorations, and the splendor of the festival music.

Venue

Ohata Hachimangu Shrine

46 Ohatamachi Minamicho, Mutsu, Aomori 039-4401