Festival of
Itsukushima Shrine

Momotesai

Every January 20

It used to be the Oyumi Hajime event in Itsukushima Shrine, and the Momote event at Ohmoto Shrine.

Kiyomori Shrine Festival

Late March, 2017 (plan)

Festival for illustrious memory of Taira no Kiyomori. Ceremony at Kiyomori Shrine. Around noon: Bugaku performance on the high stage (takabutai) at Itsukushima Shrine.

Toka-sai Festival

April 15

It is a festival that brings peach blossoms and chrysanthemum flowers to the gods of priests and will be dedicated on the high stage of Takashima Shrine for ten songs.

Hana Matsuri (Buddha's birthday Festival)

April 16 - 18

Ceremony in honor of Buddha's birth. "Amacha" tea.

Walking over fire Ceremony

April 15 - November 15

The "Hiwatari-shiki" is sponsored by the Daisho-in Temple and takes place twice a year on April and November 15th. This is a religious rite performed by the Shingon Sect of Buddhism.

Itsukushima Benzaiten Festival

Every June 17th

There is a big festival every June 17th at Daigan Temple, where the Itsukushima Benzaiten (statue) is worshipped. The Itsukushima Benzaiten is one of the three major Benzaiten in Japan. The other two are the Enoshima Benzaiten, and the Takeoshima Benzaiten.

Kangen-sai Festival

Lunar New Year's Day 17th

This event originating during the Heian period (794 - 1185 AD) is the largest annual festival observed at Itsukushima Shrine and one of Japan's three major boat rituals.

Tamatori-sai Festival

Saturday, August 20, 2017

This festival was passed down from the civil war era, and it used to be called the Einen Festival. On July 14th, by the old calendar, an approximately 150cm square board is built in the main hall and the statue of a lucky god (whose head is made of carved wood, with a body straw wrapper) is set in the center before the Ennen Festival. After the festival, the board is unloaded while waiting men wearing loincloths impatiently rush to the statue to grab it.

Miyajima by the sea Fireworks

Saturday, August 26, 2017

As waves resonate with the flow of time, Miyajima's flamboyance this night will fill our hearts with wonder and joy.

Tanomo-san

Lunar August 1

August 1st, by the old calendar is the day of the citrus, ‘Hassaku’. Islanders bring their Tanomo boats, wishing for a huge harvest, to Momiji dani Shinomiya Shrine, and after the boats are purified, they are released to float on the sea in accordance with the folk custom.

"Mantoe" Candle Light Festival for World Peace

September 9 - 11 (Sun) in 2017

This festival dedicates candle light to the repose of souls and world peace.　There is also a sutra recitation and a concert performance.

Kikka-sai Festival

October 15, 2017 (Sun)

The court dance and music introduced into Miyajima from Kyoto by Kiyomori Taira is dancing by the gagaku. Around 20 pieces including "Ryo-oh", "Nasori" "Manzai raku" and "Engi raku" are still handed down to Itsukushima Shrine from the latter period in the twelfth century.

Kencha-sai Festival

November 30, 2017 (Wed)

Autumn, Itsukushima Shrine In the Noh stage, it is a ceremony to make tea ceremony before the gods.

Miyajima Kokka Tnanka-sai Festival

October 30, 2017 (Sun)

We hold the Miyajima National Tanka Competition for the purpose of promoting local literature in this wonderful world cultural heritage site.

Walking over fire Ceremon(Daiganji)

November 3 every year

It is a ceremony that takes you back to Fudo, and brings merit of desire fulfillment.

Festival Chinka-sai

December 31 every year

The Chinka-sai, Fire Prevention Festival, takes place on the last day of the year in front of Itsukushima Shrine. Local people make both large and small pine torches throughout the month of December. On the evening of the 31st, as twilight falls, families gather at the shore near the great Torii.