OMIYA HACHIMANGU SHRINE (September Events)

Visit During Cherry Blossom Season, or Anytime to Pray for Your Children
[updated September 2026]

Omiya Hachimangu Shrine is the third largest shrine among the 23 wards of Tokyo, after Meiji Shrine and Yasukuni Shrine. It is believed that the shrine was first founded in 1063 by Yoriyoshi Minamoto, an influential feudal lord in the Kanto District. Nowadays, this shrine is well known as the deity for protecting women in childbirth and raising children, so many women and parents go here to pray.

Various Shinto rituals and festivals are held throughout the year, and Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) is one of those that you won’t want to miss. This festival is held in spring during cherry blossom season, and the cherry blossoms at night are especially beautiful when lit up by the bonfires of the festival. Also this shrine is right next to Zenpukuji River Green Park which is quite famous for its some 400 cherry trees along the river. So you can fully enjoy cherry blossom viewing if you walk around the shrine and the park together. The Festival is held from around late March to early April. As with most spring festivals in Japan revolving around cherry blossoms, the exact date depends on the weather and when the flowers are in bloom.

Fall Shrine Festivals
There are a number of traditional shrine festivals throughout the autumn season. Omiya Hachimangu Shrine also has many during the month of September. Please feel free to visit and check them out. 2026 dates are as follows:

September 15th (Tue) 10AM: Annual Festival
September 18th (Fri) 10AM: Portable Shrine “Mikoshi” Festival Beginning Ceremony
September 19th (Sat) 6PM: Festival-Eve Vigil
September 20th (Sun) 10AM: Shrine Offering Festival / 6PM: Portable Shrine “Mikoshi” Carrying
September 21st (Mon) 10AM: Portable Shrine “Mikoshi” Festival Closing Ceremony

The portable shrine shrine called a mikoshi will be carried in a parade-like atmosphere through the streets from the 19th to the 20th of September. At the shrine there will be street food stalls set up from the Saturday the 19th through Monday the 21st, which is a national holiday.

ACCESS

Translation: Y. Ikeno
Photography: Rob & Carly, TFF Staff