Sumiyoshi Taisha Wakamizu Ritual 2027

Why You Should Visit

At 5:00 on New Year's Day, the chief priest of Sumiyoshi Taisha draws the first water of the year from the sacred well inside the inner fence, fills bamboo tubes and offers it to each of the four main sanctuaries. This wakamizu is believed to drive away bad luck and restore youth. At 6:00 the Saitansai follows at sunrise, praying for the nation's prosperity, good harvests and health at every sanctuary and sub-shrine in the grounds. A quiet, pre-dawn start to the New Year visit.

Essentials

location: Sacred Well by the Fourth Main Sanctuary and the Main Sanctuaries, Sumiyoshi Taisha
period: January 1, 2027 (Fri)
Time: Wakamizu ritual from 5:00 / Saitansai from 6:00
cost: No admission fee is listed in the official event information
Links: Official Website
Kobe · Gluten-free
access: About 3 minutes east on foot from Nankai Sumiyoshi Taisha Station, or immediately beside Hankai Tramway Sumiyoshi-Torii-mae stop. Traffic restrictions apply around the shrine during the New Year period, so avoid driving.
TAGS

出典: 住吉大社公式サイト

FAQ

Can anyone watch the ritual?

The official information lists no booking requirement or restrictions. The sacred well is inside the inner fence, so follow the on-site guidance when visiting.

Are there other events on the same day?

The Saitansai follows at 6:00, and from 1 to 3 January lion dances and Sumiyoshi Odori are performed every 30 minutes on a special stage between 9:00 and 16:00.

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