Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival

About this event

The Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival, held at Yasaka Shrine (Naka District) in Kakegawa City, takes place annually on the first Saturday and Sunday of October and is a traditional festival carrying on the traditions of Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival. The rituals center around the procession (togyo) of the mikoshi (portable shrine) between the main shrine and Aodani, where the old shrine once stood. Led by the saki-jishi lion dance, a tengu path-clearer, flutes, and taiko drums, the festival is characterized by its solemn progression following ancient rites. The Gion festival music (Gion-bayashi) and ceremonial events were designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shizuoka Prefecture in 1984 (Showa 59). In 2026 (Reiwa 8), the Yoimiya eve event (Manshoji Temple) will be held from 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 3, and the Shinko procession event (Aodani) from 2:30 PM on Sunday, October 4. As for highlights, during the Yoimiya eve event starting at 17:00 on Saturday, October 3, the festival floats (dashi) transform from flower decorations to lantern displays. During the Shinko procession event starting at 14:30 on Sunday, October 4, led by the lion, followed by the tengu, portable shrine, a procession of godan-nobori banners, and four festival floats brightly adorned with flower decorations, they depart Aodani and march toward Yasaka Shrine while playing traditional festival music rich in antique charm. From around 17:00 in front of Manshoji Temple, the flower decorations on the floats are removed and replaced with lanterns, transforming them into a fantastical sight. By 21:00, all floats enter the approach to Yasaka Shrine for sequential energetic entries (nerikomi), and the "Shikamura no Wakare" (Farewell of the Four Villages) wrapped in silence is also a must-see.

Venue

Yasaka Shrine

2308 Naka, Kakegawa, Shizuoka 437-1405