The Kamiari Matsuri at Izumo Taisha marks the one month of the Japanese lunar calendar called Kannazuki ('month without gods'), when all 8 million kami across Japan are believed to travel to Izumo Grand Shrine for their annual divine assembly. Elaborate rituals welcome the arriving deities at the beach of Inasa-no-Hama before processions to the shrine precinct, where ancient court music (gagaku) and sacred dances are performed. The atmosphere throughout Izumo is deeply spiritual, and the massive rope (shimenawa) of the main hall is one of Japan's most awe-inspiring religious sights.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- November (lunar calendar October)
- Region
- Chugoku
- Prefecture
- Shimane
- City
- Izumo
Highlights
- ◆Deity-welcoming ceremony at Inasa-no-Hama beach
- ◆Sacred gagaku court music performances
- ◆World's largest shimenawa sacred rope display
- ◆Japan's oldest and most venerated grand shrine
- ◆Deeply atmospheric nighttime lantern rituals