2026 shrine events and seasonal customs
Explore Japanese calendar traditions, observance days and shrine events. Dates and traditional hours are shown in Japan Standard Time (UTC+09:00).
Supported dates: 1 January 2026–31 December 2027. Calendar beliefs differ across regions and traditions. This is not a prediction, a guarantee, or a complete schedule for every shrine and temple. Check the institution’s current announcement before attending.
Dated events
Hatsumōde — first shrine visit of the year
January 1, 2026 (JST dates)
A New Year visit thanking the deities for past safety and praying for the coming year’s peace. Visitors’ Hatsumōde and the Saitansai ceremony are separate entries.
January 1 is shown as a guide; choose a convenient day for your visit.
It is not confined to January 1–3. Check the destination’s opening hours and crowd guidance.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 明治神宮 — 初詣特集 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Saitansai — New Year festival
January 1, 2026 (JST dates)
A New Year festival praying for peace for the community and its people.
Date introduced by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Genshisai
January 3, 2026 (JST dates)
An early-year rite praying for the prosperity of the imperial household and country.
Date introduced by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Jinjitsu — seven herbs festival
January 7, 2026 (JST dates)
A seasonal celebration of seven herbs, wishing for the year’s health through the vitality of young leaves.
One of the five seasonal festivals in the modern calendar; regional dates may differ.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 節供 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Tōka Ebisu at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
January 9, 2026 – January 11, 2026 (JST dates)
A festival visiting Ebisu to pray for flourishing trade and well-being in daily life. This shrine holds rites over January 9–11.
The customary annual schedule at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka.
Other Ebisu festivals may have different dates. Check this year’s official guidance for offerings and prayer-service times.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 今宮戎神社 — 今宮戎神社とは Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Kagami Biraki
January 11, 2026 (JST dates)
A custom of taking down and eating the offered kagami-mochi rice cakes, wishing for health in the new year.
An example using January 11; some regions use another date.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 新潟総鎮守 白山神社 — 小正月 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Koshōgatsu — Little New Year
January 15, 2026 (JST dates)
An occasion wishing for good harvests and healthy living. Local customs include red-bean porridge and rice-cake flowers. Dondo burning ceremonies have different dates at different shrines.
January 15 in the modern calendar is shown as a representative date.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 新潟総鎮守 白山神社 — 小正月 Checked 2026-10-18
- 白崎八幡宮 — 今年のとんど祭りは1月17日、18日に執り行います Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Hatsuuma — first Horse day
February 1, 2026 (JST dates)
A day associated with Inari devotion. Some shrines and temples use the lunar calendar or other schedules.
An example using the first Horse day of February in the modern calendar.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 茶屋町稲荷神社 — 初午祭 Checked 2026-10-18
- 茶屋町稲荷神社 — 御祭神と由緒 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Setsubun
February 3, 2026 (JST dates)
The seasonal boundary before spring, marked by bean-throwing and rites expelling harmful forces. It is not always February 3.
The day before Beginning of Spring; consult each shrine for its actual festival date.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 浅草神社 — 節分祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Kigensai
February 11, 2026 (JST dates)
A rite praying for national peace, associated with the tradition of Emperor Jinmu’s enthronement.
Date introduced by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Kinensai — spring harvest prayer
February 17, 2026 (JST dates)
A spring rite praying for rice harvests and the flourishing of industry.
Date introduced by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Dates differ by shrine. For example, Atsuta Jingū holds its Kinensai on March 17. Check the shrine’s own guidance before visiting.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
- 熱田神宮 — 祭典・神事 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Tenchōsai
February 23, 2026 (JST dates)
A festival celebrating the emperor’s birthday and praying for his health.
Date introduced by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Jōshi — Hinamatsuri
March 3, 2026 (JST dates)
Customs of entrusting impurity to dolls developed into celebrations of children’s growth.
One of the five seasonal festivals in the modern calendar; regional dates may differ.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 節供 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Spring ancestral-spirit festival
March 20, 2026 (JST dates)
A Shinto rite remembering ancestors and thanking the connections sustaining daily life. Its practices are distinguished from Buddhist Higan services and follow the household or shrine conducting the rite.
The spring equinox is shown as a representative date; some observe it during spring Higan.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 福岡県神社庁 — 神道のご葬儀、祖霊のまつり Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Shōwasai
April 29, 2026 (JST dates)
A rite associated with Emperor Shōwa’s birthday, praying for peace and related blessings.
Date introduced by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Tango — children’s seasonal festival
May 5, 2026 (JST dates)
A celebration of children’s healthy growth, associated with sweet flag and other seasonal customs.
One of the five seasonal festivals in the modern calendar; regional dates may differ.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 節供 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Nagoshi no Harae — midyear purification
June 30, 2026 (JST dates)
A time to reflect on half a year and purify body and heart. Shrines may recite the Great Purification Prayer and use human-shaped tokens or a ring of grasses.
A representative date at the end of June; some shrines use another day.
Check the shrine’s guidance for grass-ring installation dates, how to pass through it, and acceptance of purification tokens.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 神社本庁 — 大祓 Checked 2026-10-18
- 小國神社 — 年中行事 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Tanabata — star festival
July 7, 2026 (JST dates)
A summer occasion combining star worship and wishes for skill in handicrafts.
One of the five seasonal festivals in the modern calendar; regional dates may differ.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 節供 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Chōyō — chrysanthemum festival
September 9, 2026 (JST dates)
An autumn occasion associated with chrysanthemums and wishes for longevity.
One of the five seasonal festivals in the modern calendar; regional dates may differ.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 節供 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Autumn ancestral-spirit festival
September 23, 2026 (JST dates)
A Shinto occasion remembering and thanking ancestors. Dates and offerings follow the household or shrine conducting the rite.
The autumn equinox is shown as a representative date; some observe it during autumn Higan.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 福岡県神社庁 — 神道のご葬儀、祖霊のまつり Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Kanname festival at Ise Jingū
October 15, 2026 – October 17, 2026 (JST dates)
New grain from the year is offered to Amaterasu in thanksgiving for the harvest. This is distinguished from celebratory rites at other shrines.
Rites at Ise Jingū’s Gekū and Naikū.
Gekū and Naikū have different schedules, including nighttime rites. Ritual times are not the same as hours open to visitors; check official guidance.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 伊勢神宮 — 神嘗祭 Checked 2026-10-18
- 伊勢神宮 — 豊受大神宮（外宮） Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Kanname Hōshukusai
October 17, 2026 (JST dates)
Celebrations at shrines in conjunction with Ise Jingū’s Kanname festival.
Date introduced by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Autumn Ebisu festival — twentieth-day Ebisu
October 20, 2026 (JST dates)
An autumn festival thanking Ebisu and wishing for flourishing commerce and daily well-being. Kyoto Ebisu Shrine holds Hatsuka Ebisu Taisai; Nishinomiya Ebisu Shrine in Fukui holds Ebisu Kōsai.
Modern-calendar October 20 examples, including Kyoto Ebisu Shrine and Nishinomiya Ebisu Shrine in Fukui.
Some regions use November 20 or lunar October 20. Dates and names differ by region and shrine; check the destination’s guidance for the relevant year.
Sources and checked dates · 3
- 京都ゑびす神社 — 二十日ゑびす（ゑびす講） Checked 2026-10-18
- 福井・西宮恵比須神社 — ご参拝・ご祈祷のご案内 Checked 2026-10-18
- 十日恵比須神社 — 奉告祭―えびす講― Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Meijisai
November 3, 2026 (JST dates)
A rite associated with Emperor Meiji’s birthday, praying for the country’s prosperity and related blessings.
Date introduced by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Tori no Ichi — Rooster-day market · 1
November 7, 2026 (JST dates)
A festival wishing for flourishing commerce and good fortune, known for decorative rakes. November’s Rooster days are called the first, second, and third Tori in order.
The custom at Ōtori Shrine in Asakusa of observing November’s Rooster days.
Dates shown are calendar Rooster days. Check each market’s official dates, hours, and visiting practices.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 浅草 鷲神社 — 酉の市とは Checked 2026-10-18
- 浅草 鷲神社 — 令和8年の酉の市 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Shichi-Go-San — ages three, five, and seven
November 15, 2026 (JST dates)
A visit giving thanks for children’s growth at ages three, five, and seven and wishing for their future health.
Centered on November 15, with visits on convenient nearby dates.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 七五三 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Welcoming the kami and Kamiarisai at Izumo Taisha
November 18, 2026 – November 25, 2026 (JST dates)
A period traditionally associated with welcoming deities and their council to form relationships. In 2026, the welcome is on the evening of November 18; Kamiarisai rites are on November 19, 23, and 25; the deities are sent off on the evening of November 25.
The shrine’s official 2026 schedule: the evening of November 18 through the evening of November 25.
Times and attendance conditions differ for each rite. Being within the period does not mean the same ceremony can be attended at any time.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 出雲大社 — 令和8年神在祭（ご案内） Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Tori no Ichi — Rooster-day market · 2
November 19, 2026 (JST dates)
A festival wishing for flourishing commerce and good fortune, known for decorative rakes. November’s Rooster days are called the first, second, and third Tori in order.
The custom at Ōtori Shrine in Asakusa of observing November’s Rooster days.
Dates shown are calendar Rooster days. Check each market’s official dates, hours, and visiting practices.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 浅草 鷲神社 — 酉の市とは Checked 2026-10-18
- 浅草 鷲神社 — 令和8年の酉の市 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Ebisu Shrine festival at Ibaraki Shrine
November 20, 2026 (JST dates)
The annual festival of Ebisu Shrine within Ibaraki Shrine’s grounds. Its yearly guide lists November 20. It is connected with the local merchants’ Ibaraki Kō association.
The customary schedule of a subsidiary shrine at Ibaraki Shrine in Osaka.
Distinguished from October 20’s Hatsuka Ebisu; this is not a nationwide common date. Check the shrine’s current guidance for attendance times.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 茨木神社 — 主要神事・祭典 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Niinamesai — thanksgiving for harvest
November 23, 2026 (JST dates)
A rite offering new grain to the deities in gratitude for autumn’s harvest.
Date introduced by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Dates differ by shrine. Atsuta Jingū, for example, holds its Niinamesai on October 17. November 23 is not treated as a universally observed date.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
- 熱田神宮 — 祭典・神事 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Year-end Great Purification
December 31, 2026 (JST dates)
A year-end purification of body and heart to welcome a new year, also called Shiwasu no Ōharae.
A representative date at the end of December; some shrines use another day.
Ceremony times and deadlines for purification tokens differ by shrine.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 神社本庁 — 大祓 Checked 2026-10-18
- 小國神社 — 年中行事 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Dates vary, or this year’s schedule is not confirmed
Reisai — annual shrine festival
Dates vary; check the institution’s announcement.
A shrine’s important festival on a day associated with its foundation or enshrined deity. The date differs by shrine.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Tsukinamisai — monthly shrine rite
Dates vary; check the institution’s announcement.
A rite held on a set day each month. Dates are not universally the first and fifteenth; check each shrine’s festival guidance.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Nikkusai — daily offerings
Dates vary; check the institution’s announcement.
A daily rite of offerings. Starting time and whether visitors may attend follow each shrine’s guidance.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 恒例祭 Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Dondo-yaki / Sagichō
Dates vary; check the institution’s announcement.
A burning ceremony around Little New Year for New Year decorations and related items. It may be held on a nearby holiday rather than January 15 itself. Check accepted items and collection dates with the shrine.
Sources and checked dates · 2
- 新潟総鎮守 白山神社 — 小正月 Checked 2026-10-18
- 白崎八幡宮 — 今年のとんど祭りは1月17日、18日に執り行います Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.
Obon — welcoming and remembering ancestors
Dates vary; check the institution’s announcement.
A period welcoming and remembering ancestors. Some regions observe July 13–16, others August 13–16, and others the seventh lunar month. There is no single nationwide date; follow the respective Shinto or Buddhist customs.
Sources and checked dates · 1
- 神社本庁 — 先祖のおまつり Checked 2026-10-18
Original source titles are retained in Japanese.