A summer festival of dragons and purification.

Basic Information

Here is the basic information about the 2024 養澤神社 あきる野市 festival.

• Overview: A festival held at Yozawa Shrine in Akiruno City, Tokyo, where five local shrines were merged into one village shrine.
• Address: 1018 Yozawa, Akiruno City, Tokyo
• Phone Number: None
• Access: Take the Itsukaichi Line from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station and get off at Jukogi Intersection. Turn left and walk along the road lined with barbecue restaurants and trout fishing spots along the Yozawa River for about 10 minutes.
• Festival Days: August 15th, 2024

Main Events and Attractions of the Festival

The Yozawa Shrine Festival is held annually on August 15th, and it features a variety of events and attractions that draw visitors from all over the region.

Mikoshi Procession

The highlight of the festival is the mikoshi procession, where a portable shrine is carried through the streets of Akiruno City by local residents. The mikoshi is decorated with colorful tapestries and streamers, and it is accompanied by music and dancing.

• Overview: A parade of a portable shrine through the streets of Akiruno City.
• Features: The mikoshi is elaborately decorated and carried by local residents.

Shishimai Dance

Another popular attraction at the festival is the shishimai dance, which is a traditional Japanese lion dance. The dance is performed by two people wearing a lion costume, and it is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

• Overview: A traditional Japanese lion dance performed at the festival.
• Features: The dance is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

Yatai Food Stalls

No Japanese festival is complete without yatai, or food stalls. At the Yozawa Shrine Festival, visitors can enjoy a variety of delicious Japanese street food, such as takoyaki, yakisoba, and kakigori.

• Overview: Food stalls selling a variety of Japanese street food.
• Features: Visitors can enjoy popular dishes like takoyaki, yakisoba, and kakigori.

Blessings and Deities

The Yozawa Shrine is believed to bestow various blessings upon its worshippers, including:

• Good harvest
• Good health
• Protection from evil spirits
• Good luck

The shrine enshrines seven deities:

• Amaterasu Omikami (Sun Goddess)
• Izanagi no Mikoto (God of Creation)
• Izanami no Mikoto (Goddess of Creation)
• Hayatama no Mikoto (God of Wind)
• Hondawake no Mikoto (God of Agriculture)
• Tenazuchi no Mikoto (God of Earth)
• Ashinazuchi no Mikoto (God of Water)

Origin and History

The Yozawa Shrine was established in 1924 when five local shrines were merged into one village shrine. The five shrines were:

• Kumano Shrine
• Hachiman Shrine
• Nittensha Shrine
• Monjyajinsha Shrine
• Yobasha Shrine

The shrine has been a popular place of worship for local residents for centuries, and it continues to attract visitors from all over the region.

Tips and Notes for Visitors

Here are some tips and notes for visitors to the Yozawa Shrine:

• There is no parking lot, so visitors are advised to use public transportation or walk.
• The shrine is closed on certain days, so it is best to check the shrine’s website or call ahead before visiting.
• Visitors are expected to dress and behave respectfully while visiting the shrine.
• Photography is allowed, but visitors are asked to be respectful of other worshippers.

Parking Information

There is no dedicated parking lot for the Yozawa Shrine. Visitors are advised to use public transportation or walk to the shrine.

Public Transportation:

• Take the Itsukaichi Line from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station and get off at Jukogi Intersection.
• From there, it is a 10-minute walk to the shrine.

Walking:

• From Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, it is a 30-minute walk to the shrine.

Popular Stalls and Food Carts in Recent Years