Written by Jane Pipkin
The Mantō Mitama Matsuri is an annual festival for the enshrined deity of Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine, a guardian of peace.
What happens?
Around 2,000 lanterns will be hung and 100 shrine maidens (miko in Japanese) will perform a traditional marriage dance. There will also be a kagura performance — a type of ceremonial shinto dance.
The festival is held to pray for peace, good harvests, and protection from misfortune.
Schedule
The festival is held annually on the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of May.
The festival will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The shrine maiden dance will only be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, along with some yosakoi dance performance. Children’s sumo will take place on Sunday at 10 a.m. and kagura dance performances will be held on Sunday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
How to get there
The shrine is held in the precincts of Hiroshima Castle, which is easily accessed on foot, by bus, or by tram from almost anywhere in central Hiroshima.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.- 0.6 km from Shukkeien-mae Station Hiroden Line 9
- 0.6 km from Katei Saibansho-mae Station Hiroden Line 9
- 0.6 km from Jogakuin-mae Station Hiroden Line 9
