Oshio Tenmangu Autumn Festival 2026

Why You Should Visit

The autumn grand festival of Oshio Tenmangu Shrine in Himeji's Oshio district, held every October 14 and 15. One of the Banshu autumn festivals, it is famous for the Kejishi: eight shaggy lions covered head-to-body in hair, a dance designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Hyogo Prefecture. To flute and drum, the lions storm the grounds in a wild dance modeled on untamed beasts, while six brightly colored yatai floats from Himeji and Takasago are paraded and clashed. On the 15th, the main day, child-attendant Hitotsumono and masked Omenkake rites are also performed. Free to watch, steps from Sanyo Oshio Station.

Essentials

location

Oshio Tenmangu Shrine

period

October 14, 2026 (Wed) - October 15, 2026 (Thu)

Time

Oct 14 (eve): afternoon to night / Oct 15 (main day): morning to night. Last year the eve lion dances began around 6:30pm; on the main day the Hitotsumono rite started around 10am and the lion dances after 2pm

cost

Free to watch

Links

Official Website

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

About a 2–4 minute walk south of Sanyo Railway Oshio Station. No parking, so use public transport.

NOTE

Kejishi lion dances

Eight districts: Higashi-no-cho, Miyamoto-cho, Naka-no-cho and Nishi-no-cho (Oshio), Kobayashi-cho (Bessho), and Ushitani-cho, Kitawaki-cho and Nishihama-cho (Kitahama, Takasago)
Two-person lions covered entirely in hair, danced in a wild style modeled on untamed lions. Two forms: the Dochu-mai procession from the torii to the hall, and the Ji-mai performed on the grounds
Said to date from the Kamakura–Muromachi/Sengoku eras; designated by Himeji City in 1988 and Hyogo Prefecture in 1989

Yatai floats

Six floats: Higashi-no-cho (blue), Miyamoto-cho (red), Naka-no-cho (white x navy), Nishi-no-cho (yellow), Kitawaki (white x red), Nishihama (green)

Rites on Oct 15, main day

Hitotsumono: a child serves as the deity's vessel and offers sake before the altar
Omenkake: a dance offered wearing an old man's mask

Last year's flow (2025)

Oct 14 (eve): from around 6:30pm, lions from each district entered the grounds and performed
Oct 15 (main): Hitotsumono rite around 10am, lion dances from after 2pm

* The procession dance may be cancelled in bad weather (it was rained out on the 2025 eve)

* Check the shrine's official site for the 2026 schedule

* The once-every-11-years Kokuon-sai was held at this shrine on May 3–4, 2026; it is a separate festival from the autumn one

FAQ

Is there a fee to watch?

No. Watching the lion dances and float parades on the grounds is free. The routes get crowded, so follow the marshals' directions.

When can I see the Kejishi lion dances?

Last year the eve dances began around 6:30pm on the 14th and the main-day dances after 2pm on the 15th. Timing varies by year, so confirm the 2026 schedule on the shrine's official site.

What happens if it rains?

The rites go ahead in rain, but the procession dance from the torii to the hall may be cancelled in bad weather. On the 2025 eve it was rained out and only the dances on the grounds were performed.

Calendar

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