Toyama Frost Month Festival (Toyama no Shimotsuki Matsuri)

About this event

Designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, the Toyama Frost Month Festival (Toyama no Shimotsuki Matsuri) is held on different dates from early to mid-December across more than ten shrines scattered throughout the Toyama-go region in Kamimura and Minamishinano, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture. Held during the season with the shortest daylight of the year, this festival is a sacred ritual to awaken the weakened life force of both the sun and humanity through the power of hot water. Hot water is boiled in a large cauldron placed in the center of the shrine hall while singing sacred kagura songs to entertain deities from across the country. As the night deepens, masked gods appear, and at the climax, dancers wearing Tengu masks splash boiling water from the cauldron barehanded over the spectators. It is said that being bathed in this water purifies all defilements, granting a renewed spirit to welcome the new year. The scene of screams and laughter echoing throughout the mountain shrine hall is also considered one of the inspirations for "Spirited Away." The festival takes place mainly at night, and dates and times vary by shrine.

Venue

Shohachimangu Shrine (Toyama no Shimotsuki Matsuri)

754 Kamimamura, Iida, Nagano 399-1403