Yasukuni Shrine Autumn Grand Festival

About this event

The Autumn Grand Festival, one of the most important ceremonies at Yasukuni Shrine, is held annually over three days from October 17 to 19. During this period, a series of Shinto rituals are performed, including the Kiyobarai (purification), Tojitsu-sai (main day ritual), Dainichi-sai (second day ritual), and Naorai (post-ritual banquet). In particular, the Tojitsu-sai serves as the core of the ceremonies, where an Imperial envoy (Chokushi) dispatched by His Majesty the Emperor attends to present offerings from the Emperor (Goheibutsu) and recite a ceremonial prayer (Gosaibun). A major difference between the Autumn Grand Festival and the Spring Grand Festival is the performance of the Reiji Hoan-sai, a ritual to enshrine the divine spirits (reiji) of newly enshrined deities. This ritual is held on the eve of the main day festival (the night of October 17), where Shinto priests proceed to the main shrine amid bonfires with the lights turned off. As celebratory events, a tea offering ceremony (Kencha-shiki) and Kusajishi-shiki (an ancient archery ritual) are held, and during the festival period, special flower offering exhibitions by various Ikebana schools and chrysanthemum exhibitions are held, enveloping the shrine grounds in autumn colors. In addition, folk songs, dance performances, and traditional martial arts demonstrations (kobudo) are dedicated daily at the Noh theater, allowing visitors to enjoy cultural events.

Venue

Yasukuni Shrine

3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0073