{"id":1606,"date":"2025-06-21T23:16:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T14:16:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/?p=1606"},"modified":"2025-06-21T23:21:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T14:21:39","slug":"sakanoshita-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/en\/sakanoshita-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Traditional Festivals of Kamakura\u2019s Sakanoshita: Ishigami Shrine Annual Festival & Goryo Shrine Autumn Grand Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Kamakura, the Sakanoshita area\u2014where the Enoden train runs just inches away from narrow alleys\u2014is known not so much as a tourist spot, but as a neighborhood where daily life still thrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this quiet, lived-in corner of the city, two important traditional Shinto rituals have been carefully preserved over generations: the Ishigami Shrine Annual Festival<\/strong> and the Goryo Shrine Grand Festival (Menkake Gyoretsu Procession)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Far from being mere tourist events, these festivals are deeply rooted in the everyday lives and hearts of the local community.
In this article, we\u2019ll introduce the history, meaning, and highlights of each festival in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Discover the Unique Charm of Kamakura\u2019s Ishigami and Goryo Shrine Festivals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\uff11\uff0e<\/strong>Ishigami Shrine Annual Festival (Okunagashi): A Sacred Sea Ritual to Welcome Summer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Schedule:<\/strong>\u00a0July 19\u201321, 2025 (around Marine Day, a national holiday in Japan)
Highlight:<\/strong>\u00a0The\u00a0Kaij\u014d Togyo<\/em>\u00a0(sacred sea procession) held on July 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Prayer from a Town that Lives with the Sea<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u3000On the final day of the Ishigami Shrine Annual Festival\u2014July 21\u2014a sacred maritime ritual called Okunagashi<\/em> takes place. This ceremony is unique to Sakanoshita, a community long connected with the ocean. The event begins when a mikoshi<\/em> (portable shrine) departs from Goryo Shrine, making its way through narrow alleyways before reaching the Sakanoshita beach. There, the mikoshi<\/em> is carefully loaded onto a fishing boat, marking the start of the Kaij\u014d Togyo<\/em> (sea procession).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most striking moments comes when local youths, known as oyogite<\/em> (\u201cswimmers\u201d), leap into the sea and accompany the boat carrying the mikoshi<\/em> by swimming alongside it. The procession heads out to sea, toward a point where Enoshima Island can be seen in the distance. As the swimmers circle the boat, they gently release offerings\u2014such as red rice and paper ornaments\u2014into the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This powerful scene symbolizes the deep bond between the community and the sea. It\u2019s not just about placing the shrine on a boat; it\u2019s a primal and sacred ritual in which people physically enter the water, using their own bodies to carry prayers to the gods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Role and a Pride Passed Down Through Generations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u3000In the past, locals would say, \u201cThe ocean cannot officially open for summer until this ritual is complete.\u201d This reflects the deep significance of the Ishigami Shrine Festival for the Sakanoshita community. Young residents carry the mikoshi<\/em>, don traditional attire, and take part in offerings of sacred dances and prayers. Every element is a \u201cliving culture\u201d passed down through generations, preserving the spirit and memory of the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This fusion of sea and festival has become a hidden summer highlight in Kamakura, quietly beloved by photographers and visitors alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\uff12\uff0eGoryo Shrine Grand Festival \u2013 The Enchanting Menkake Procession that Colors Kamakura\u2019s Autumn<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Schedule:<\/strong>\u00a0September 12 (Fri) \u2013 18 (Thu), 2025
Main Event:<\/strong>\u00a0Menkake Gyoretsu<\/em>\u00a0(Masked Procession) held in the afternoon on September 18<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Masked Procession Born from the Fusion of Shinto and Buddhism<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Goryo Shrine, dedicated to the Heian-period warrior Kamakura Gongoro Kagemasa, has long been revered as the guardian deity of the Sakanoshita and Hase areas. Every year on September 18, the shrine hosts its Reitaisai<\/em> (Grand Annual Festival), featuring the Menkake Gyoretsu<\/em>\u2014a masked procession that is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Kanagawa Prefecture. This unique ritual has no equal elsewhere in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the procession, participants wear ten types of expressive, symbolic masks\u2014such as the “Elderly Man,” “Demon,” “Long Nose,” “Old Sage,” “Crow Tengu,” and the comical “Okame,” a pregnant woman figure. The \u201cOkame\u201d character is humorously portrayed with a stuffed belly, and it\u2019s said that touching her belly brings blessings for a safe childbirth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the exact origins of the Menkake Gyoretsu<\/em> remain unclear, some believe it may trace back to the Gigaku<\/em> masked dances of the Nara period, or to legends involving Minamoto no Yoritomo. What is clear is that the ritual embodies an ancient form of worship, using masks to bridge the spiritual and human worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Ritual Where Solemnity and Humor Coexist<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u3000The charm of the Menkake Gyoretsu<\/em> lies in its unique blend of humor and sacredness. Although the masks appear whimsical, each carries deep symbolic meaning, and the entire procession is carried out with great solemnity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike typical festivals with food stalls or flashy performances, this event is a pure religious ceremony, observed in a quiet and respectful atmosphere. Participants range from village elders to children, making the festival a powerful expression of community spirit and cultural continuity.\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Access & Important Notes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Nearest Station:<\/strong>\u00a0Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Hase Station (Enoden Line)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Please Note:<\/strong>Both festivals take place along narrow alleyways. In particular, the\u00a0Menkake Gyoretsu<\/em>\u00a0(Masked Procession) may be canceled in case of rain. We recommend checking in advance for any schedule changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    In Conclusion: Experience Sacred Rituals Rooted in Everyday Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \u3000Even within the popular tourist destination of Kamakura, the Sakanoshita area offers a nostalgic and peaceful atmosphere. The festivals that have been passed down here for centuries are not just events\u2014they are living expressions of the community\u2019s spiritual culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By learning the stories and meanings behind these rituals, you\u2019ll gain a much deeper appreciation than by simply watching them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re planning a visit to Kamakura, don\u2019t miss the opportunity to witness this rare and moving connection between people and the divine\u2014an experience unique to this time of year, and this very place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    In Kamakura, the Sakanoshita area\u2014where the Enoden train runs just inches away from narrow alleys\u2014is known not so much as a tourist spot, but as a neighborhood where daily life still thrives. In this quiet, lived-in corner of the city, two important traditional Shinto rituals have been carefully preserved over generations: the Ishigami Shrine Annual Festival and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1604,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"swell_btn_cv_data":"","_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/?p=1600","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kamakura-sightseeing","en-US"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1606"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1606\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1607,"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1606\/revisions\/1607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1604"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kamakura-rakuanhanare.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}