Miyajima Kangen-sai Festival

Kangen-sai is the largest and greatest annual festival held at the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.

What happens?

Originating in the Heian period, Kangen-sai is a festival in which a portable shrine carrying the gods of Itsukushima is moved between other shrines on the island via a Goza boat. Musicians follow, playing kangen music while moving across the water.

Kangen is a type of Japanese classical court music played on nine instruments including three types of stringed instrument, drums, and flutes.

Schedule

• 16:00: Hatsurensai-Shinto ceremony at Itsukushima Shrine.
• 17:00: The portable shrine is moved to the Goza boat. Both the Goza and Aga rowing boats depart the shrine heading toward O-torii gate.
• 17:40: Ceremonial imperial court music is performed at the gate. The boats sail toward Jigozen Shrine.
• 19:00: Eba’s rowing boat is unfastened from the Goza boat and goes ahead to Jigozen Shrine to dedicate a dance performance. After sunset, lanterns are lit.
• 20:20: The boats get to Jigozen Shrine.
• 21:40: When the boats arrive at the front of Nagahama Shrine, people on Miyajima greet them with paper lanterns.
• 22:30: Ceremonial Gagaku is performed on the shore in front of Omoto Shrine.
• 23:30: Ceremonial Gagaku music is performed in front of Marodo Shrine. This is the grand finale of the festival.
• 24:00: The portable shrine is transported back to Itsukushima Shrine.

How to get there

Check out our guide on the best and most affordable ways to get from Tokyo to Hiroshima.