Yamanaka Suwa Shrine: Yamanaka Myojin Annual Grand Festival (Safe Childbirth Festival)

About this event

The "Yamanaka Myojin Annual Grand Festival (Safe Childbirth Festival)," held annually from September 4 to 6 at Yamanaka Suwa Shrine, is a rare festival said since ancient times to offer some of the greatest blessings in the Kanto region for conceiving children and safe childbirth. Yamanaka Suwa Shrine, also known as "Yamanaka Myojin," is known as a guardian deity of safe childbirth enshrining Toyotamahime. At the climax of the festival, the sight of the mikoshi (portable shrine) circling the sacred tree is magnificent. During the eve festival on September 4, the spirit transfer to the mikoshi takes place, and it parades through the village. The sight of women who have given birth and pregnant women following behind the mikoshi with gratitude and prayers for safe delivery has been known nationwide since ancient times as a festival where pregnant women and newlyweds gather. During the main festival on September 5, the mikoshi parades through the village again, and the festival reaches its peak as it approaches the main shrine hall. Expectant mothers close to full term, mothers carrying newborns on their backs, and women wishing for matchmaking and fertility also join in, creating an extremely energetic scene as they carry the mikoshi chanting "Mousoro, mousoro." The festival reaches its absolute climax when it circles the sacred tree three times. The concluding festival takes place on September 6.

Venue

Yamanaka Suwa Shrine

13 Yamanaka, Yamanakako, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0501