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🏮 Hatsu Kokuzo Kikonai Samegawa Kanchu Misogi Fesutibaru

初虚空蔵木古内佐女川の寒中禊・寒中みそぎフェスティバル

Kikonai, Hokkaido (Sao River Shrine) · Every year on 13 January

Traditional performing arts

121 days to go
Rooms around Kikonai, Hokkaido fill up while the festival is on.

The Kanchu Misogi Festival and Kanchu Misogi Festival are held in Kikonai, Hokkaido, in mid-January. Centered on Saonagawa Shrine, various events also take place at Misogi Park and Misogi Beach. This ritual has continued since 1831 (Tenpo 2), with four practitioners secluding themselves at Saonagawa Shrine from January 13, training by pouring cold water over themselves. On the 15th, they purify the sacred object in the frigid Tsugaru Strait and pray for a year of good fishing and good harvests. During the period, visitors can enjoy the misogi procession, misogi music, tomimaki and mochimaki (throwing of goods and rice cakes), mizugori (cold water purification), and roughly 1,000 winter fireworks. On the 15th, there are also sea bathing at Misogi Beach, fishing boats sailing with large catch flags, and a local products fair, and the town sees great activity.

Getting there

From Hakodate Station, take the JR Hokkaido Line to Kikonai Station, then walk about 5 minutes. Alternatively, take the Hakodate Bus and get off at Kikonai Station Front.