Omiya Suwa Shrine Annual Grand Festival

About this event

This is a traditional annual grand festival held every year on the last Saturday and Sunday of August at Omiya Suwa Shrine in Otari Village, Nagano Prefecture. This festival is also positioned as an important event leading up to the Nagigama-uchi Shinto ritual, which takes place once every seven years. On the eve festival (Yoimatsuri), a lantern procession departs, and the Urayasu dance (Urayasu-no-mai) is dedicated at Omiya Suwa Shrine. The following day, the lower portable shrine (sage-mikoshi) departs, and a portable shrine procession (mikoshi togyo) takes place. In addition, dedicated performing arts such as Kyobyoshi, Yakko-odori, and Shishimai (lion dance) are performed, further enlivening the festival. This festival offers a valuable opportunity to experience community-rooted culture, including the Kyobyoshi and Yakko-odori of Omiya Suwa Shrine, which are designated as Nagano Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.

Venue

Omiya Suwa Shrine

13722 Nakatsuchi, Otari, Kitaazumi District, Nagano 399-9511