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Suimu Shrine Festival

The Suimu Shrine Festival, locally known as the 'Fight Festival,' is a traditional event held in Kashimo, Gifu, during the Autumn Equinox. The festival features men in their 'unlucky years' (yakudoshi) pulling large, decorated wooden floats toward Suimu Shrine and ritualistically crashing into one another to drive away evil spirits.

Date
Sep 22-23, 2026
Location
Kashimo
Status
Upcoming
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Suimu Shrine Festival

Event summary

Highlights

  • Ritual crashing of large decorated wooden floats
  • Blessings and rites for men in unlucky ages (yakudoshi)
  • Traditional music and puppet performances atop the floats
  • Mochi and candy throwing ceremony for spectators
The festival is centered on the Japanese concept of yakudoshi, or unlucky ages. Men reaching the ages of 25, 42, and 61 participate in the event to ward off misfortune through displays of bravery and physical strength. The proceedings begin the night before the main event with a portable shrine procession from the Nakagiri district to Suimu Jinja, where the participants receive a formal blessing.

On the day of the equinox, the main event begins with Shinto ceremonies, including sake drinking and the throwing of mochi and candies to the crowd. Two large wooden floats, decorated with puppets and carrying live musicians playing flutes and drums, are pulled toward the shrine by teams using ropes made of dried rice stalks. The 'fight' occurs when elders intentionally stop the floats, causing the pulling teams to crash into each other. This process of pulling, crashing, and communal drinking is repeated until the floats reach the shrine's entrance.

Practical details

Location described by the source
Suimu Jinja
en.japantravel.com
Area for browsing nearby events
Kashimo

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.

Sources and further information

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Location map

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