Opening hours, fees and event dates change. Before you go, please confirm the latest details on each facility's or organizer's official information.
One of the city's largest mikoshi festivals
Yasaka Shrine's grand festival, held usually in July, is one of the largest in Higashimurayama. Centered on the Saturday eve-festival (yoimiya) and the Sunday main festival, a mikoshi (portable shrine) carrying the deity processes through the parishioners' neighborhoods, accompanied by great drums and floats (dashi). The valiant mikoshi, the resounding great drums, the gorgeous festival music — these are the two most lively days of summer in Higashimurayama.
A deep connection with the National Treasure, Shofukuji
The festival's greatest highlight is the mikoshi traveling back and forth between Yasaka Shrine and Shofukuji. Yasaka Shrine is a shrine that Shofukuji once served as betto (administrator), and the two are deeply linked historically. On the first day the mikoshi sets out from within Shofukuji's grounds (an inner subsidiary shrine), processes through the parishioners' neighborhoods, and returns to the shrine the next day. That round trip is said to reach about 10 km. A shrine and a temple joined by a single road — a distinctly Japanese form of festival, in which Shinto and Buddhism mingle, survives here.
See the National Treasure Shofukuji Jizodo Hall details →- When: usually July (centered on the Saturday eve-festival and Sunday main festival).
- Highlight: the procession of the mikoshi, floats and festival music, led by a great drum. The roughly 10 km round trip between Shofukuji and Yasaka Shrine.
- Access: Yasaka Shrine is around Yasaka Station (Seibu Tamako line). Shofukuji is within walking distance of Higashimurayama Station (Seibu Shinjuku line).
The dates and the mikoshi procession's route and times change from year to year. Always check the latest with Yasaka Shrine and Higashimurayama City before you go. Traffic restrictions are sometimes in place nearby on the festival day.
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