Guide
The Wakasa Jinja Grand Festival (commonly known as Wakasa Matsuri) is a historic ritual held at Wakasa Jinja in Wakasa-cho, Yazu District, Tottori Prefecture. This shrine is said to have been founded by the Yabe clan, the first lords of Kikajo Castle, and was once under the patronage of the Ikeda clan, the lords of the Tottori Domain during the Edo period. The shrine grounds are surrounded by a lush, primeval forest of oak and fir trees, designated as the "Wakasa Jinja Forest Grove," a natural monument of Tottori Prefecture, creating a solemn atmosphere in harmony with nature.
This festival is a vital event for passing local traditions to the next generation, featuring energetic displays of portable shrines (mikoshi), processions, and lion dances (shishi-mai). The sight of the mikoshi racing up the stone steps is particularly powerful and awe-inspiring.
The absolute highlight is the "Goko-sai" (Procession Festival). This special event is held every other year, where three portable shrines sprint up approximately 200 steep stone steps amidst the flickering light of many torches. This dynamic spectacle is truly a once-in-a-lifetime sight.
Before and after the main event, you can enjoy traditional processions, lion dances, umbrella-shaped floats (kasaboko), and children's dances, filling the entire community with a festive spirit. Within the sacred forest, you can witness the beautiful, quintessential Japanese landscape where historical architecture and traditional performing arts intertwine.
The main festival is held annually on May 3rd. The schedule is as follows:
The event takes place at Wakasa Jinja in Wakasa-cho, Yazu District, Tottori Prefecture.
While parking is available nearby, it is highly recommended to use public transportation as the area is expected to be very crowded during the festival.
Wakasa Jinja is located in a beautiful, natural setting surrounded by tall trees. To fully experience the heat of the festival, it is a good idea to find a vantage point where you can clearly see the stone steps and the upward movement of the mikoshi. The atmosphere becomes especially mystical during the evening festivities under the light of the torches.
Since much of the viewing involves navigating stone steps and being outdoors at night, we strongly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and preparing for uneven terrain. As temperatures may drop during the evening events, please bring warm clothing to stay comfortable.
For information regarding payment methods, reservations, or specific rules, please check the official website.