Written by TC Team
The Hie Shrine Annual Festival is a traditional festival for anyone in love with Japanese culture.
Note: This is O-Sannomiya Hie Shrine in Yokohama, not the better-known Hie Shrine in Akasaka, Tokyo.
What happens?
The festival is held in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture across the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before Japan’s Respect for the Aged holiday — September 18 to 20 in 2026. See a Shinto prayer ceremony on Friday, as well as traditional dress and decorations.
We’d also recommend visiting on Sunday for the joint neighborhood portable shrine (mikoshi) procession. From 9 a.m., the mikoshi will be carried through the local area in a long procession, taking in the Yokohamabashi and Idai-dōri shopping streets. It goes ahead in light rain, but is called off in bad weather. If you’re still around at 5 p.m., you can catch a small ceremony with the mikoshi at Ikezaki shopping street.
How to get there
The Hie Shrine Annual Festival takes place at Hie Shrine in Yokohama. The nearest station is Yoshinochō Station on the Yokohama Subway’s Blue Line, which is 3 minutes away. Alternatively, you can take the Keikyū Line to Minamiōta Station, a 5-minute walk away.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
