Shimmeigu Shrine Festival | May 11~12

As someone who's called Nagoya home for several years now, I'm always excited to share incredible cultural experiences that are just a short journey away. Mark your calendar for May 11~12 this year - the Nomi Shimmeigu Shrine Festival in Okazaki is one event you won't want to miss.

A Festival Rich in History

The Nomi Shimmeigu Shrine Festival (神明宮大祭) is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May and the preceding Saturday. Known affectionately by locals as "Shimmei-san," this festival is considered one of Okazaki's three major celebrations.

While its exact origins aren't perfectly clear, historical documents suggest the festival began in the mid-Edo period (around 1750). Initially held in June, the festival date shifted several times throughout history before settling on its current May schedule during the Meiji era.

What makes this festival particularly special is how faithfully it preserves traditions that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. The portable shrine processions and the entry of gigantic parade floats onto the shrine premises follow the same rituals as they did hundreds of years ago.

A Two-Day Celebration

Saturday Events (May 10th)
The festival begins at 10:00 with a solemn purification ceremony for the decorative floats at the shrine grounds, followed by the preliminary festival ceremony at 10:30. By afternoon, the atmosphere transforms with the enchanting Otome no Mai (Maiden's Dance) performed at the shrine's kagura-den at 13:30.

One of the most charming elements is the children's parade (稚児行列) at 15:00, where young participants in colorful traditional attire bring energy to the streets. The evening brings entertainment on the shrine grounds and the gathering of floats for the evening festival.

Don't miss the highlight at 19:20 when fireworks are offered at the shrine, creating a magical atmosphere as darkness falls.

Sunday Events (May 11th - Main Festival Day)
The festival's main day begins early with the Mikoshi Togyo (御神輿渡御) at 08:00 - a solemn procession where portable shrines housing the deity (Amaterasu Omikami) travel through town. Led by lion dancers, this long procession visits "otabisho" (temporary resting places) set up in each town district, bringing blessings and purification to the community.

After the main ceremony at 12:00, the afternoon brings the dynamic "yamakuruma" (mountain cart) parade through town. These eight meticulously crafted floats, each representing different neighborhoods, are pulled through the streets by adults and children wearing distinctive happi coats or yukata unique to their district.

The festival reaches its breathtaking climax with the "Yamakuruma Miyairi" (山車宮入り) at 19:20, when all eight floats are simultaneously illuminated with paper lanterns and make their way toward the shrine, led by tall lanterns on poles as they pass through the different towns.

The Eight Traditional Floats

Each of the eight floats has its own distinctive character and history:

• Moto Nomi Nakamachi: Features a magnificent peony carving and unique lanterns adorned with Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing.
• Moto Nomi Minamimachi: The smallest but perhaps most elegant float, built in 1958 without using a single nail. Look for the beautiful dragon carvings by Takeo Watanabe.
• Moto Nomi Kitamachi/Johoku/Kakitacho: Shared by three districts, this float features Buddhist altar-style carvings and lacks a steering mechanism, making its procession particularly dynamic.
• Nomi Kitanokiri: Notice the exquisite dragon carvings on the front, which are said to be masterpieces from the Bunsei era (early 1800s).
• Nomi Nakanokiri: Built in 1953, this float features carvings of dragons, lotuses, and lions. Its distinctive blue sash is embroidered with golden and silver lion designs.
• Nomi Minamiokiri: The oldest float in the festival, dating back to the late Edo period. Look for the dragon carvings on either side with white cloth wrapped around their eyes - tradition says removing this cloth would bring rain on the festival.
• Zaimoku Nichome: Notice its beautiful black and red lacquer finish and the magnificent ceiling painting of a rising dragon surrounded by seasonal flowers and birds.
• Matsumoto: The largest float, built in 1960, featuring carvings by the renowned Hyoe Esaka, including scenes of the Yahagi Bridge procession.

A Unique Festival
What I love most about the Nomi Shimmeigu Shrine Festival is how it combines solemn tradition with community celebration. The festival is recognized for its cultural significance—in 1986, it received the Okazaki City Education and Culture Award for preserving traditional festival scenes that had largely disappeared elsewhere.

The lantern-lit evening procession creates a festival of light that truly captures the imagination. While the colorful floats might initially catch your eye, take time to appreciate the dignified atmosphere of the mikoshi procession as well - it represents the "still" aspect of the festival. In contrast, the dynamic floats embody movement and energy.

Festival Schedule

Getting There

The shrine is easily accessible from Nagoya:

By Train (Recommended):

Option 1: Take the JR Tokaido Line from Nagoya Station to Okazaki Station (25 minutes), then transfer to the Aichi Loop Line to Kita-Okazaki Station. It's a 12-minute (1 km) walk southeast to the shrine.

Option 2: Take the Meitetsu Nagoya Line from Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Higashi Okazaki Station. From there, board the Meitetsu Bus bound for Okutono Jinya via Daijuji Temple, exit at Shimmeisha-mae Bus Stop, and walk 2 minutes southwest.

By Car:

Drive east on the Tomei Expressway, exit at Okazaki Interchange, and follow Routes 1 and 39 northwest for approximately 10 minutes (3.7 km).

Alternatively, drive southeast from the Toyota-Minami Interchange on the Isewangan Expressway for about 27 minutes (12.8 km) via Routes 56, 26, and 39.

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