Nanao Gion Matsuri

This is the summer festival of Otokonushi Shrineーknown for its Seihakusai Festival, and is held every year on the second Saturday in July.

The deity of this festival, “Susano-no-mikoto (Gyuto-tenno),” was enshrined in the precincts of Anraku-ji Temple in Kaji town in ancient times. In 1635, the shrine was enshrined together with Sanno Shrine, which later became Otokonushi Shrine.

On summer nights, the deities are relocated by portable shrines to a temporary shrine in the seaside town area to cool off. For this reason, the festival is also called “Osuzumi Matsuri” (festival of coolness). People pray to the deity to prevent epidemics and to ward off bad luck. To lead and guide the portable shrine, a votive lantern called “Kiriko” is carried.

The climax of the festival is at night. In the evening, the lanterns parade through the town and gather at a temporary shrine on the beach, signaling the start of fireworks.
After the purification ceremony, the first town chosen by lot drawing leads the portable shrine to the Otokonushi Shrine. Eleven portable shrines are installed in the precincts of the shrine, and the musicians (flutes, gongs, and drums) ride on the portable shrines, which are carried by about 50 young men. The lanterns race around the red-hot bonfire. The dance is breathtaking and spectacular.
As the night draws to a close, the last town performs “Nanao Madara,” a traditional Nanao song of congratulation, to close the festival.

General Information