Nikko Daikoku Matsuri at Nikko Futarasan Shrine

Event Overview

The Nikko Daikoku Matsuri is a special festival held at Nikko Futarasan Shrine to honor Daikoku-sama, a deity associated with the shrine's main deity, Onamuchi-no-Mikoto. Daikoku-sama is widely revered as the god of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. While a smaller 'Daikoku-mairi' occurs on the second Saturday of every month, this grander festival takes place over two days in early June.

Highlights & Activities

The main attraction is the lively 'Go-en Ichi' market surrounding the shrine grounds. You will find a diverse range of stalls selling everything from fresh local produce and delicious street food to daily goods and traditional crafts. You may also witness Kagura, a traditional Shinto ritual dance, offering a deep look into Japan's spiritual heritage.

A truly unique experience is the ritual at the Daikoku-den. Here, you can wave the 'Uchide-no-Kozuchi' (the magical magic mallet) to pray for your wishes, such as business success or better luck in relationships. It is a rare opportunity to connect with the symbols of wealth and happiness.

Schedule

The festival is held annually on the first Saturday and Sunday of June.

• *Dates**: 1st Saturday and Sunday of June
• *Hours**: Approximately 10:00–15:00

Venue & Access

The event takes place within the grounds of Nikko Futarasan Shrine.

• *Bus & Train**: From Nikko Station (JR/Tobu), take the Tobu Bus (bound for Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen) for about 7 minutes. Get off at 'Nishi Sando Iriguchi' and walk for 10 minutes.
• *Car**: Approximately 15 minutes from the Nikko IC on the Nikko Utsunomiya Road.