Praying for a bountiful harvest, safety, and peace in the village, offerings of doburoku are made to the gods

In Shirakawa-go, offerings are made to the gods of the mountain from the end of September into mid-October in the form of the fabulous Doburoku Festival. Sacred processions are conducted at shrines all over the village of Shirakawa along with lion dances, as well as traditional folk singing and dancing that celebrate the history and tradition of the village. And of course, as the name of the festival would suggest, offerings of doburoku, an unrefined sake with a very pulpy texture, are made to the gods.

The Doburoku Festival is held at multiple shrines throughout the village on different dates, but the three major events are as follows:

Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine: October 14-15
Hatogaya Hachiman Shrine: October 16-17
Iijima Hachiman Shrine: October 18-19

Festival days are very lively, with activities happening from 8 in the morning all the way until late at night! The schedule may differ slightly depending on the location, but the general outline is as follows:

8:00: Shinto rituals and preparation for the festival conducted at shrine.
9:00: Divine procession is held; parade held in surrounding area.
15:00: Doburoku ritual is conducted on shrine grounds.
15:30 – 17:00: Doburoku distributed to visitors; folk singing on shrine grounds.
19:00: Lion dance on shrine grounds.
20:00: Local folk entertainment.

  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Autumn

Basic Information

Date

October 14-15, 16-17, 18-19 (depending on location)

Venue

Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine, Hatogaya Hachiman Shrine, Iijima Hachiman Shrine

Access

All locations can be reached either by Nohi Bus from JR Takayama Station (50 minutes) or by car (take the Shirakawa-go IC off the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway).

Shirakawa Hachiman: located just south of Shirawaka-go’s thatched roof housing settlement. Hatogaya Hachiman: Located just by the Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road on Route 156.
Iijima Hachiman: Shirakawa-go Roadside Station at the main entrance to the village.

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Notes

Certain travel facilities within the village, such as the tourism information office, may be closed while the festival is in progress.
We ask that any visitors who choose to travel by car refrain from consuming any amount of alcohol, including the doburoku that is available for free during the festival.
Temporary parking lots are prepared for use during the festival.