Shinto in Japan | Hey Japan!

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Shinto

Shinto is an indigenous religion of Japan and the country's oldest religion, originating from prehistoric times. It is characterized by its focus on ancestor worship, nature worship, and the veneration of spirits known as kami. Shinto shrines, which are dedicated to the worship of kami, are scattered throughout Japan and are typically marked by a torii gate and other distinctive architectural features. Shinto has no written scripture, no formal creed, and no defined system of morality. Instead, its teachings and practices are passed down orally and through tradition.

Festival

Dogeza Festival

An October festival features a grand procession with a portable shrine led by samurai-clad participants, with local residents bowing in reverence along the streets.

15 Oct 2026Niimi · Okayama

Shrine

Tomioka Hachiman Shrine

Tokyo's largest Hachiman shrine, established in 1627, holds historical significance as the birthplace of Kanjin-zumo, a precursor to modern Grand Sumo.

Tokyo

Performance

Iwami Kagura

Each autumn in western Shimane, shrine stages host Iwami Kagura – sacred dances performed through the night, from ceremonial pieces to a battle with a serpent.

Shimane · Chugoku

Festival

Mifune Festival

Each October, Kumano Hayatama Taisha holds the Mifune Matsuri, two days of sacred processions culminating in a thrilling fast-boat race on the Kumano River.

15–16 Oct 2026Shingu · Wakayama

Shrine

Juzo Shrine

Ishikawa shrine dedicated to Amenofuyukinu no Mikoto and his son Okuninushi, the Shinto god of nation-building and matchmaking, with subsidiary shrines on the grounds.

Wajima · Ishikawa

Pilgrimage

Kumano Kodo

For over a thousand years, the Kumano Kodo has led pilgrims through the mountains of Kii to the sacred Kumano Sanzan shrines – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wakayama · Kansai

Festival

Niihama Taiko Festival

Towering drum-bearing floats parade through Niihama in this October celebration, drawing nearly 200,000 spectators each year.

16–18 Oct 2026Niihama · Ehime

Shrine

Tsushima Shrine

Head shrine of a nationwide network of about 3,000 Tsushima temples, worshipping the deities Gozutenno and Susanoo with legendary origins in the third century BCE.

Tsushima · Aichi

Festival

Miyazaki Jingu Grand Festival

Miyazaki's largest celebration honors Emperor Jimmu through a grand autumn procession featuring portable shrines and floats reenacting the legendary emperor's historic journey.

31 Oct – 1 Nov 2026Miyazaki

Shrine

Ise Grand Shrine

Vast shrine complex of 125 shrines dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami and Toyo'uke-no-Omikami, conducting over 1,500 annual rituals for imperial prosperity and peace.

Ise · Mie

Festival

Okawakami Birafu Shrine Autumn Grand Festival

Featuring an Intangible Folk Cultural Property procession, this November festival unites a community through ceremony, dance, and spiritual communion.

3 Nov 2026Kami · Kochi

Shrine

Kunozan Tosho-gu

Shinto shrine housing the original grave of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun, and considered the oldest Tosho-gu shrine in Japan.

Shizuoka

Festival

Fox's Wedding - Rice Ear Festival

The Fox's Wedding features a grand procession with white fox bride and groom, rooted in a legend of benevolent spirits said to bring marriage blessings.

3 Nov 2026Kudamatsu · Yamaguchi

Shrine

Kanbashira-gu

This shrine enshrines Amaterasu Omikami and Toyoukebime, along with five other Shinto deities including Ninigi-no-Mikoto and Ame-no-Tajikarao.

Miyakonojo · Miyazaki

Festival

Kurakake Castle Festival

A castle festival features an armored warrior procession, parades, and traditional performances including taiko drumming and Shinto kagura dance.

16 Nov 2026Iwakuni · Yamaguchi

Shrine

Oshio Hachiman Shrine

Discover Oshio Hachiman Shrine - Ancient 9th-century shrine with Muromachi period worship hall, beautiful gardens & samurai protection. Visit today.

Echizen · Fukui

Festival

Kamiari Festival

Once a year the gods of Japan are said to abandon their shrines for Izumo, where a season of quiet rites welcomes, hosts, and finally sends them home again.

18–25 Nov 2026Izumo · Shimane

Shrine

Heian Shrine

A highly-ranked Shinto shrine in Kyoto built in 1895 to commemorate the city's 1100th anniversary and dedicated to Emperor Kanmu.

Kyoto

Festival

Dogeza Festival

An October festival features a grand procession with a portable shrine led by samurai-clad participants, with local residents bowing in reverence along the streets.

15 Oct 2026Niimi · Okayama

Shrine

Tomioka Hachiman Shrine

Tokyo's largest Hachiman shrine, established in 1627, holds historical significance as the birthplace of Kanjin-zumo, a precursor to modern Grand Sumo.

Tokyo

Performance

Iwami Kagura

Each autumn in western Shimane, shrine stages host Iwami Kagura – sacred dances performed through the night, from ceremonial pieces to a battle with a serpent.

Shimane · Chugoku

Festival

Mifune Festival

Each October, Kumano Hayatama Taisha holds the Mifune Matsuri, two days of sacred processions culminating in a thrilling fast-boat race on the Kumano River.

15–16 Oct 2026Shingu · Wakayama

Shrine

Juzo Shrine

Ishikawa shrine dedicated to Amenofuyukinu no Mikoto and his son Okuninushi, the Shinto god of nation-building and matchmaking, with subsidiary shrines on the grounds.

Wajima · Ishikawa

Pilgrimage

Kumano Kodo

For over a thousand years, the Kumano Kodo has led pilgrims through the mountains of Kii to the sacred Kumano Sanzan shrines – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wakayama · Kansai

Festival

Niihama Taiko Festival

Towering drum-bearing floats parade through Niihama in this October celebration, drawing nearly 200,000 spectators each year.

16–18 Oct 2026Niihama · Ehime

Shrine

Tsushima Shrine

Head shrine of a nationwide network of about 3,000 Tsushima temples, worshipping the deities Gozutenno and Susanoo with legendary origins in the third century BCE.

Tsushima · Aichi

Festival

Miyazaki Jingu Grand Festival

Miyazaki's largest celebration honors Emperor Jimmu through a grand autumn procession featuring portable shrines and floats reenacting the legendary emperor's historic journey.

31 Oct – 1 Nov 2026Miyazaki

Shrine

Ise Grand Shrine

Vast shrine complex of 125 shrines dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami and Toyo'uke-no-Omikami, conducting over 1,500 annual rituals for imperial prosperity and peace.

Ise · Mie

Festival

Okawakami Birafu Shrine Autumn Grand Festival

Featuring an Intangible Folk Cultural Property procession, this November festival unites a community through ceremony, dance, and spiritual communion.

3 Nov 2026Kami · Kochi

Shrine

Kunozan Tosho-gu

Shinto shrine housing the original grave of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun, and considered the oldest Tosho-gu shrine in Japan.

Shizuoka

Festival

Fox's Wedding - Rice Ear Festival

The Fox's Wedding features a grand procession with white fox bride and groom, rooted in a legend of benevolent spirits said to bring marriage blessings.

3 Nov 2026Kudamatsu · Yamaguchi

Shrine

Kanbashira-gu

This shrine enshrines Amaterasu Omikami and Toyoukebime, along with five other Shinto deities including Ninigi-no-Mikoto and Ame-no-Tajikarao.

Miyakonojo · Miyazaki

Festival

Kurakake Castle Festival

A castle festival features an armored warrior procession, parades, and traditional performances including taiko drumming and Shinto kagura dance.

16 Nov 2026Iwakuni · Yamaguchi

Shrine

Oshio Hachiman Shrine

Discover Oshio Hachiman Shrine - Ancient 9th-century shrine with Muromachi period worship hall, beautiful gardens & samurai protection. Visit today.

Echizen · Fukui

Festival

Kamiari Festival

Once a year the gods of Japan are said to abandon their shrines for Izumo, where a season of quiet rites welcomes, hosts, and finally sends them home again.

18–25 Nov 2026Izumo · Shimane

Shrine

Heian Shrine

A highly-ranked Shinto shrine in Kyoto built in 1895 to commemorate the city's 1100th anniversary and dedicated to Emperor Kanmu.

Kyoto

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