Dontosai Festival

The largest festival of its kind in Japan, the Dontosai Festival, held at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine in Miyagi Prefecture, is a celebration that closes the chapter on the previous year and looks ahead to the next. With fiery ceremonies and a memorable procession, this festival is a great way to welcome the new year in northern Japan.

Dontosai Festival

Photo by: PIXTA/ shima_kyohey A festival with origins in the Edo Period.

Dontosai Festival started in the Edo Period when local sake brewers would visit Osaki Hachimangu Shrine at the beginning of the year. Coming to pray for good health and a bountiful harvest, these brewers gradually inspired others to visit the shrine in the middle of winter.

Eventually, the festival became an established event held on January 14 and evolved to include a bonfire ceremony at sunset. During this event, onlookers throw their recently used New Year’s decorations into a large pile. Then, they would be lit ablaze as a thank you to the deities who came to visit residents’ homes at the end of the year. This sacred fire is also believed to grant good luck and health to all who are warmed by its embers.

Osaki Hachimangu Shrine

Photo by: PIXTA/ m.Taira Constructed in the 17th century.

The Dontosai Festival is held throughout the prefecture, but the largest is held at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine in Sendai City. Date Masamune ordered the construction of the shrine in the 17th century. He was the founder of Sendai and one of the most powerful rulers in the Tohoku region. The principal shrine building was granted National Treasure status in the 1950s. The City of Sendai recognizes Osaki Hachimangu Shrine’s Dontosai Festival as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Festival Highlights

Photo by: PIXTA/ shima_kyohey Let it burn.

One of the festival highlights is the bonfire, which consists of last year’s kadomatsu (New Year’s decor). To join, bring your own from the previous year to add to the pile. But there’s another element of Dontosai that attracts many visitors. Hadakamairi are processioners who dress in white loincloths, headbands and other minimal coverings. These processioners are celebrated for their determination to brave the cold temperatures and worship at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine.