(Photo courtesy of Sasebo Okunchi Promotion Association)
Japan’s fall season is the perfect time to get out and appreciate the changing of the landscape with countless open-air events and festivals held throughout the nation.
Near Sasebo Naval Base, a 1349-year-old Shinto shrine, Kameyama Hachimangu will host “Sasebo Okunchi” a traditional autumn festival on Nov. 1 -3.
During this annual autumn festival, you can expect hundreds of dancers in kimono to perform a traditional michiyuki odori (dancing procession) with the procession of the chief shrine priest on a holy horse and children in ancient festive attire, accompanied by three mikoshi (portable shrines) in the center of Sasebo City. The traditional ambiance will transport you into ancient samurai times.
According to organizers, local high school students and other local residents are expected to join the event to promote the festive atmosphere.
On Nov. 1, the deity of the Kameyama Hachimangu shrine will be transferred to the portable shrines before they are carried over to the Matsuura Park with Okudari (descent of God) procession. After spending the following day (Nov. 2) at the park, the deity on the mikoshi will come back to the shrine with another Onobori (ascension of God) procession on Nov. 3.
During the festival, you can enjoy live performances by local marching bands, wadaiko drums and traditional dances with swords, lions and snakes. There will be festival food stalls and game stalls for your enjoyment. So, make sure to bring yen.
“Sasebo Okunchi is an important annual traditional festival for Sasebo locals,” Kazuya Masumoto, a member of the Sasebo Okunchi Promotion Association, said. “With the festival, we welcome the deity of Kameyama Hachimangu and spend three days with the descended deity to wish for a rich harvest, prosperity, safety and peace of the world.”
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(Photo courtesy of Sasebo Okunchi Promotion Association)
(Photos courtesy of Sasebo Okunchi Promotion Association)
(Photos courtesy of Sasebo Okunchi Promotion Association)
(Photos courtesy of Sasebo Okunchi Promotion Association)
Sasebo Okunchi
Nov. 1: Okudari (Descent of God)
10:50 a.m. Dances and performances (at Kameyama Hachimangu Shrine)
12:30 – 2:20 p.m. Procession (from Kameyama Hachimangu shrine to Matsuura Park)
2:40 p.m. Dances and performances (at Matsuura Park)
Nov. 3 Onobori (Ascension of God)
9:30 a.m. Dances and Performances (at Matsuura Park)
12:30 -3:10 p.m. Procession (from Matsuura Park to Kameyama Hachimangu Shrine)
3:30 p.m. Dances and performances (at Kameyama Hachimangu Shrine)
Location: (Kameyama Hachimangu) 3-3 Hachiman-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture
For more information: Sasebo Okunchi Promotion Association (Tel: 0956-23-1155)
