Hie Shrine Autumn Annual Grand Festival

About this event

This is the annual grand festival of an ancient shrine said to have been founded around 1,200 years ago when it was consecrated by Saicho. Celebrating the autumn harvest and giving thanks to the heavens has been a natural sentiment of the agrarian Japanese people since ancient times. At Hie Shrine as well, during the Autumn Annual Grand Festival, prayers and sincere gratitude are offered for the smooth completion of agricultural work and for peace in our lives. On the day following the main festival, the Goshinkosai (divine procession) with its long history and tradition is grandly conducted. Goko refers to the procession of the deities, where the deities travel through the parish territory. Around 30 brave mikoshi (portable shrines) energetically enliven the festival throughout the town, and a mystical Tengu divine procession concludes the three-day festival. In addition, traditional chigo-mai (children's dance) and tayu-no-mai dances are dedicated, making it a festival that fully conveys the history and customs of Muramatsu.

Venue

Muramatsu Hie Shrine

5976 Muramatsu Ko, Gosen, Niigata 959-1707