Karo Shrine's Hoenya Matsuri
Cries of “Hoenya” echo across the seas
The Hoenya Matsuri, held once every two years on April 29 at Karo Shrine, is a water festival where a boat carrying a deity travels down the river. “Hoenya” refers to the towing a mikoshi (portable shrine) or other objects by the boat. According to legend, about 1,250 years ago, scholars returning from China were shipwrecked off the coast of Karo and were rescued in boats by the people of Karo. Therefore, this traditional event has preserved, till the present day, the spirit of gratitude and rescuing those in need. Designated as an intangible folk cultural property of the prefecture, it also attracts many visitors from outside the prefecture.
On the day of the festival, a procession of 200 participants form a grand parade that includes mikoshi, warrior parades, and the distinctive lion dance Kirin-jishi Mai from eastern Tottori Prefecture, and board box-shaped boats to sail down the Sendai River. Around these boats, men in small boats row vigorously while calling out “Hoenya, Hoenya-e!” Looking gallant and powerful, this is one of the greatest highlights of the festival.
On the day of the festival, a procession of 200 participants form a grand parade that includes mikoshi, warrior parades, and the distinctive lion dance Kirin-jishi Mai from eastern Tottori Prefecture, and board box-shaped boats to sail down the Sendai River. Around these boats, men in small boats row vigorously while calling out “Hoenya, Hoenya-e!” Looking gallant and powerful, this is one of the greatest highlights of the festival.
Basic Information
- Address (Japanese)
- 680-0907 鳥取県鳥取市賀露町北1-21-8
- Event venue
- Karo Shrine
- Event period
- April 29 every other year
- Access
- ・Approx. 20 minutes by car from Tottori Station
・Approx. 36 minutes by bus (bound for Karo) from Tottori Station; alight at “Karo Jinja Mae” bus stop and walk for about 5 minutes - Car Park
- Available
- Website
- Official website（Japanese）
