Written by Aarohi
Pray for health, safety, and protection from illness at this free evening shrine festival in Wakayama.
What happens?
Kumano Hayatama Taisha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of three major shrines in the Kumano area, holds this annual summer ritual on July 14, Japan’s Quarantine Day.
And before you assume that’s a reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, Quarantine Day actually goes back to 1879, when Japan introduced its first formal quarantine system to inspect ships and passengers arriving at Yokohama for infectious diseases like cholera.
At the shrine, priests perform a traditional Shinto ceremony using ceremonial folding fans called hiōgi. These are replicas of rare Muromachi-period cypress fans preserved by the shrine, including 11 fans designated as National Treasures.
Schedule 2026
The festival takes place on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m., with the main ceremony kicking off at 5:30 p.m.
How to get there
From Osaka Station, take the Limited Express Kuroshio bound for Shirahama, and get off at Kii Tanabe Station (around 2 hours and 17 minutes). Switch to the local line and get off at Shingū Station (around 2.5 hours). From Shingū Station, Kumano Hayatama Taisha is about a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride. The entire journey takes around 5 hours.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
