Guide
The Ren'ai Joju Tanabata Festival is a special ritual held every year on the afternoon of July 7th at Jishu Jinja, dedicated to praying for romantic success and matchmaking. This festival has long been a beloved tradition for women and couples seeking a meaningful connection. The highlight is the ritual involving "Tanabata Kokeshi" dolls, which represent the celestial lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi. Please note that the shrine is currently undergoing structural and grounds maintenance, and while the physical gates may be closed, the special prayers to the deities continue to be offered.
The most enchanting part of this festival is the ritual using a pair of "Paper Kokeshi" dolls. Traditionally, participants write their names (or the name of the person they wish to be with) on each doll and tie them together to symbolize a strong bond. These are then hung on the "O-sasa" (large bamboo) located on both sides of the main shrine to complete the prayer for love. Even if you do not have a specific person in mind, you can participate by writing down your ideal partner's qualities. It is a deeply emotional and beautiful ceremony that fills the shrine grounds with heartfelt wishes.
The festival is held annually on July 7th. The main ritual begins at 2:00 PM. Due to ongoing maintenance and construction work at the shrine, the exact opening hours for visiting the grounds are currently undecided. We recommend checking the official information for the most recent updates before your visit.
The venue is Jishu Jinja. Please be aware that the shrine is currently closed to the public due to structural and grounds maintenance. Because access to the ritual site may be restricted depending on the progress of the construction, please verify the current status of the shrine before planning your trip.
Traditionally, the ritual involves writing wishes on the Tanabata Kokeshi and hanging them on the bamboo. However, the physical distribution of these dolls is currently suspended. In place of this, Jishu Jinja offers the "Enmusubi Special Prayer" (Special Matchmaking Prayer), where a Shinto priest performs the ritual on your behalf. If you cannot visit in person or wish to ensure your prayer is heard, you can use their mail-in service to send your wishes to the deities.
When visiting a shrine, please dress in modest, respectful attire. As the shrine is currently undergoing maintenance, the ground may be uneven in certain areas; we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. Since the physical Kokeshi doll ritual is currently unavailable on-site, please check the official website for the latest information regarding the availability of the ritual and the mail-in prayer service.