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🏮 Shimonoseki Kaikyo Matsuri Sentei Sai

しものせき海峡まつり・先帝祭

Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi (Akama Shrine) · Every year on 2 May

Bon odoriTraditional performing artsFood stalls

230 days to go
Rooms around Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi fill up while the festival is on.

The Shimonoseki Kaikyo Festival and Senteisai is held mainly at Akama Shrine in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, with events at various locations around the city. It takes place every year in early May, combining traditional Shinto rituals connected to Emperor Antoku with events that carry the history of the Genpei War into the present. At Akama Shrine, the Goryo-mae Festival and the Heike Ichimon Memorial Service are held, and the nationwide Heike Association also attends. The core of the festival lies in mourning Emperor Antoku, who is enshrined at Akama Shrine. Old-style ceremonies are passed down, including a formal visit by Emperor Antoku in full ceremonial dress, recreated by the Kayajima Kimono Research Group, and a demonstration of the outer eight-character walk (sotohachimon) in the Joro Dochu procession. At Kameyama Hachimangu Shrine, the Hatchohama Soodori is offered in honor of Okame-san, who laid the foundation for the development of Karato, and the call of "Hatchohama Erayaccha," said to be the root of Hakata Dontaku, rings out. Highlights include the Genpei Warrior Procession, in which warriors of the Genji and Heike clans parade through Shimonoseki City, and the Genpei Ship Battle sea parade, in which 30 boats cross the Kanmon Strait. At the Sister City Plaza, stage events and food stalls line up, drawing large crowds. During the Shimonoseki Kaikyo Festival, traffic in Shimonoseki City is very congested. Please check the Karato area congestion countermeasure parking map and the Machi Navi Shimonoseki parking availability before coming.

Getting there

During the Shimonoseki Kaikyo Festival, traffic in Shimonoseki City is very congested. Please check the Karato area congestion countermeasure parking map and parking availability on Machi Navi Shimonoseki before coming.