Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Festival

Event Overview

The Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Festival is a highly significant ritual held at Kumano Hongu Taisha in Tanabe City, Wakayama, to pray for a bountiful year. This festival consists of deeply spiritual ceremonies that symbolize the movement of divine spirits across the mountains. Key highlights include the 'Yunobori Shinji' (a designated intangible folk cultural property of Wakayama) and the 'Onasai' festival held at Oyunobara, both of which offer a profound sense of respect for nature and traditional Japanese beliefs.

Highlights and Ways to Enjoy

The most striking part of the festival is the 'Togyo' procession, where the divine spirit moves via a portable shrine (mikoshi). During the 'Yasabaki Shinji,' children perform dances while beating drums to invite the spirits. At the Onasai festival, you will see the 'Chobana'—beautiful artificial flowers—which play a central role; the lively scene where spectators compete for these flowers symbolizes a wish for a good harvest. Additionally, the grand scale of the 'Taishimai' (rice-planting dance) at the vast Oyunobara site and the solemn 'Saito Goma' fire ritual performed by ascetic practitioners are breathtaking sights to behold.

Schedule

The Grand Festival takes place over three days starting from April 13.

• *April 13**: The Yunobori Shinji ritual begins. At 9:00 AM, priests and children gather to head toward Yunomine Onsen. In the afternoon, ceremonies take place at Yunomine Oji and the Yasabaki Shinji ritual is held.
• *April 14**: The 'Funatama Taisai' is performed to pray for safe voyages and abundant catches.
• *April 15**: The main highlight, the 'Onasai' festival, begins with the Honden-sai at 8:00 AM. The mikoshi travels from the main shrine to Oyunobara. At Oyunobara, traditional dances such as Yamato-mai, Miko-mai, and Taishimai are performed before the procession returns to the shrine in the evening.

Venue and Access

The festival is centered around the sacred sites of Kumano Hongu Taisha and its surroundings.

• *Main Venues**: Kumano Hongu Taisha (Main Shrine), Oyunobara (Former Shrine Site), Yunomine Onsen area, and Manaisha.
• *Access**: The ritual route includes the 'Dainichigoe' mountain pass, part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. The path from Yunomine Onsen to Oyunobara offers stunning historical landscapes, but travelers should prepare for the hike in advance.

Participation Tips

This is a profound religious ceremony rather than a mere tourist event. When observing the sacred rituals, please show respect to the priests and local community by maintaining a quiet and respectful presence. The moments involving the children (chigo) and the mikoshi procession are considered the most sacred. As many ceremonies occur in large outdoor spaces like Oyunobara, please prepare for changing weather and terrain.

Clothing and Etiquette

• *Clothing**: Since the route includes mountain paths (Dainichigoe), comfortable walking shoes and practical clothing are highly recommended. Prepare for outdoor conditions.
• *Payment**: Please check the official website for details regarding payments related to the festival or nearby facilities.
• *Reservations**: No reservation is required to participate in the festival, but it is recommended to book nearby accommodations early.
• *Etiquette**: As these are sacred religious rites, please act with decorum and avoid disrupting the ceremonies.