🏮 Izumo Taisha Taisai

出雲大社大祭礼

Izumo, Shimane (Izumo Grand Shrine) · Every year on 13 May

Traditional performing arts

241 days to go
Rooms around Izumo, Shimane fill up while the festival is on.

Izumo Taisha Grand Festival is held over three days from May 14 to 16 each year at Izumo Taisha in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. It is one of the shrine's most important annual ceremonies, welcoming the emperor's envoy, the chokushi. The ritual, passed down since the Meiji era, is performed according to ancient customs, creating a solemn atmosphere. On the first day, the Reisai (Chokusai) involves priests wearing formal robes that are worn only once a year, performing a solemn Shinto ceremony. Before the Reisai, the Matousai features priests shooting two purifying arrows to ward off evil. Also, during the Reisai, instead of the usual 'two bows, four claps, one bow,' the custom is to perform 'eight claps,' which signifies infinite number 8 and expresses boundless praise to the deity. Highlights of the festival include the yabusame horseback archery ritual, the taue mai dance, and offerings of Izumo kagura and Ise kagura performed after the Reisai. An antique market is also held within the grounds, making these three days special as a historic festival coexists with lively events.

Getting there

To Izumo Taisha: From JR Izumo-shi Station, take the Ichibata Electric Railway to Izumo Taisha-mae Station, then walk about 10 minutes. Alternatively, from Izumo-shi Station, take a bus for about 25 minutes and get off at the 'Izumo Taisha' bus stop, which is immediately adjacent.