Dear Guests,
Thank you for choosing to stay with us at BYAKU Narai.
We are pleased to inform you that Narai’s traditional summer festival, the Shizume Shrine Grand Festival, will be held again this year on August 11 and 12. Please note that traffic restrictions will be in place during the festival period. Kindly review the information below regarding the history of the festival and important reminders for your stay.
About the Shizume Shrine Grand Festival
The Shizume Shrine Grand Festival is a long-standing local tradition held in Narai-juku, where the community honors its guardian deity through a ritual procession of mikoshi (portable shrines). This festival is said to have originated during the early Edo period when an epidemic struck the town. In response, the deity of Katori Shrine in Chiba Prefecture was invited to Narai to protect the residents. Historical records from 1769 describe a procession formation similar to what we see today, showing that this tradition has been preserved for over 256 years.
Local residents, as shrine parishioners, take part in the festival by parading through the post town with mikoshi, floats featuring lion dancers, sacred horses, and traditional festival music.
Shizume Shrine and Hachiman Shrine, located at the northeast (kimon) and southwest (ura-kimon) ends of Narai, respectively, serve to spiritually protect the town as guardian gates. During the festival, the procession connects these two shrines, symbolically purifying the entire town and warding off misfortune.
The festival spans two days: the Yoimatsuri (Eve Festival) on August 11, and the Hommatsuri (Main Festival) on August 12.
Highlights of the “Yoimatsuri” – August 11 (Sunday)
- 10:00: Festival float departs from Hachiman Shrine
- 14:00: Arrival at Shizume Shrine and Shinto ritual
- 14:30: Float departs from Shizume Shrine
- 16:00: Return to Hachiman Shrine
- 18:30: Children’s mikoshi and lantern procession departs from Narai Station
- 20:00: Lantern procession arrives at Shizume Shrine
This evening event is a magical experience, with lantern light and festival music filling the streets of Narai.
Highlights of the “Hommatsuri” – August 12 (Monday)
- 11:30: Shinto ritual at Shizume Shrine
- 12:00: Traditional festival music performance
- 13:00: Mikoshi procession departs from Shizume Shrine
- 14:30: Procession passes through the “Kaginote” corner
- 16:30: Procession reaches Yokomizu area
- 18:30: Mikoshi arrives at Narai Station
- 20:00: Mikoshi departs from Narai Station
- 21:00: Mikoshi returns to Shizume Shrine (Sengyo ceremony)
- 21:20: Final ritual and kagura dance offering
Traffic Restrictions
Please be advised that vehicles will not be permitted to enter or park on Narai’s main street during the following times:
- August 11: 18:00–20:00
- August 12: 11:00–22:00
Important Notes for Staying Guests
- Due to the traffic restrictions during the festival, the standard parking area for hotel guests will not be available.
- Please use one of the following alternative parking lots:
- Kiso Ohashi East Parking (roadside)
- Kiso Ohashi West Parking (railway side)
- Michi-no-Eki Narai-juku Parking (north of Kiso Ohashi)
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us at:
Email: info@byaku.site
We hope you enjoy this rare opportunity to experience the vibrant culture and spirit of Narai during the festival.
