Sacred Wand Festival and Competition
Near: Akita (Event is Free)
Event Date(s):
Feb. 16, 2025
Dates are subject to change without notice. Check with the official organizers before making travel arrangements.
The Miyoshi Bonden Festival at Asahiokayama Shrine near Yokote City is a very exciting and fun festival nearbye the city of Akita (Northern part of "Honshu" the main island). The festival involves groups of men, children and friends carrying "Sacred Wand's" (in Japanese "Bonden" ぼんでん), racing to Miyoshi Shrine. The "Bonden" are about 4 meters in length and it is believed that gods use bonden as a directional marker when they are descending. Therefore, offering these "Bonden" to the gods is said to give good harvest and prosperity. The "Bonden" are made of bamboo baskets covered with brightly colored cloth and streamers. The festival usually starts late morning and runs into the afternoon. It's a 15 minute bus ride from Yokote Station to Asahiokayama Shrine. There is no official website for the festival so if you wish to attend please call the Yokote City Tourism Association TEL 0182-33-7111 for specific details.
Kamiteitoda-123 Osawa
Yokote, Akita 013-0041 Japan
