Inori no Mori祈りの杜working title

2027 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, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Saitansai — New Year festival

January 1, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Genshisai

January 3, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Jinjitsu — seven herbs festival

January 7, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Tōka Ebisu at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine

January 9, 2027 – January 11, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Kagami Biraki

January 11, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Koshōgatsu — Little New Year

January 15, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Setsubun

February 3, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Kigensai

February 11, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Kinensai — spring harvest prayer

February 17, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Tenchōsai

February 23, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Jōshi — Hinamatsuri

March 3, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Spring ancestral-spirit festival

March 21, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Shōwasai

April 29, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Tango — children’s seasonal festival

May 5, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Nagoshi no Harae — midyear purification

June 30, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Tanabata — star festival

July 7, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Chōyō — chrysanthemum festival

September 9, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Autumn ancestral-spirit festival

September 23, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Kanname festival at Ise Jingū

October 15, 2027 – October 17, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Kanname Hōshukusai

October 17, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Autumn Ebisu festival — twentieth-day Ebisu

October 20, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Tori no Ichi — Rooster-day market · 1

November 2, 2027 (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 · 1

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Meijisai

November 3, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Tori no Ichi — Rooster-day market · 2

November 14, 2027 (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 · 1

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Shichi-Go-San — ages three, five, and seven

November 15, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Ebisu Shrine festival at Ibaraki Shrine

November 20, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Niinamesai — thanksgiving for harvest

November 23, 2027 (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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Tori no Ichi — Rooster-day market · 3

November 26, 2027 (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 · 1

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Year-end Great Purification

December 31, 2027 (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

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

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

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

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

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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.

Welcoming the kami and Kamiarisai at Izumo Taisha

Dates vary; check the institution’s announcement.

An autumn to early-winter event associated with the tenth lunar month. This site has not confirmed the official schedule for this year and does not place a date in the monthly calendar.

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

Original source titles are retained in Japanese.