What is the Kasuga Shrine Autumn Festival?

The Kasuga Shrine Autumn Festival, which serves as the guardian of Sasayama Castle Town, has a history of over 350 years and is one of the most representative festivals of Tambasasayama. Nine festival floats (Hokoyama) and four portable shrines (Mikoshi) parade through the Sasayama Castle Town, accompanied by the sounds of flutes and drums. Influenced by Kyoto culture, the festival combines elegance and bravery, and in 2017 it was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the city.

Event Schedule

• October 19, 2024 (Saturday): Eve of the festival
  Traditional music performance: Upper Town 16:20~, Lower Town 17:00~
• October 20, 2024 (Sunday): Main festival day
  Hokoyama parade: 9:50~, Mikoshi parade: 13:10~
  Drum mikoshi: Upper Town 16:30~, Lower Town 16:55~

Note: Roads will be closed to vehicle traffic from the intersection of Uoyamachi Castle West Line to Sonpoji Temple (141 Tate-machi) on October 19 (Sat) from 16:00 to 22:00, and October 20 (Sun) from 10:00 to 22:00.

Hokoyama Parade in the Historic Preservation District (Kawaramachi)

The Kasuga Shrine Festival in Sasayama has a history of over 350 years. In the past, each float was adorned with a distinctive "hoko" (spear) on its roof. However, around 110 years ago, with the introduction of electricity, power lines were installed above the roads, making the hoko taller than the wires. As a result, the hoko-adorned parades came to an end. Losing this symbol of the Hokoyama floats was likely a significant disappointment for the local community.

In 2021, approximately 600 meters of Kawaramachi Street, which is part of the Hokoyama parade route, underwent utility pole removal, and all power lines were taken down.

This has made it possible to restore the two Hokoyama floats, "Hououzan" and "Mikasayama," located in Kawaramachi, and parade them with their hoko once again.

• October 19, 2024 (Saturday) 15:00~16:00: "Mikasayama" and "Hououzan" parades
• October 20, 2024 (Sunday) 9:00~10:00: "Hououzan" parade only

Basic Information

• Postal Code: 〒669-2321

• Address: 1015 Kurooka, Tambasasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture

• Phone Number: 079-552-3380

• Access (Train/Bus): From JR Sasayamaguchi Station West Exit, take Wing Shinki Bus to "Sasayama Honmachi" bus stop.

• Website: https://sasayama-jyouka.com/

Event Information

• Venue: Kasuga Shrine (Kurooka)
• Parking: Please use nearby municipal parking lots (up to 400 yen)
• Organizer: Kasuga Shrine Autumn Festival Preservation Society