July 7th–July 9th

Iwanai Shrine Annual Festival Now Underway

The Iwanai Shrine Annual Festival, fondly known locally as the Iwanai Festival, is a beloved community celebration.

The schedule runs with the Eve Festival on the 7th, the Main Festival on the 8th, and the Return Festival on the 9th; portable shrine processions take place on the 8th and 9th.
For the rites honoring Sarutahiko no Mikoto and Uzume no Mikoto, attendants are chosen from the cohort facing their critical 42nd year.

On the 9th, the national highway is closed to traffic so two portable shrines can charge up “Jinja-zaka” in one breathtaking dash.

The town-designated intangible folk cultural asset “Akasaka Yatsu” is another festival highlight.

For detailed schedules and information, please check the Iwanai Shrine website.

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity!