A Guide to the Ise Jingu Kanname-sai Festival in Mie: Dates, Highlights, and More!

As autumn begins to stir in Mie Prefecture, one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto rituals occurs at the revered Shinto shrine of Ise Jingu. The Kanname-sai Festival, a millennia-old tradition, offers a rare glimpse into the core of Japan’s unique spirituality. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the significance, highlights, and practical aspects of attending this profound event.

The Kanname-sai Festival dates back over 1,300 years and is one of the most important rituals on the Shinto calendar. It centers around offering the year’s first harvest of rice to Amaterasu Omikami, sun goddess and mythical ancestor to the Japanese imperial family.

This ritual has been performed annually since at least the eighth century, making it one of Japan’s oldest continuous traditions. It exemplifies the deep connection between the imperial family, Shinto religion, and agriculture in Japanese society.

Reaching Ise Jingu is straightforward from many of its neighboring cities thanks to Japan’s robust public transportation system.

From Nagoya: Take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kintetsu Nagoya Station to Isuzugawa Station. From there, it’s a short five-minute bus or taxi ride to the shrine. The entire trip will take approximately two hours.

From Osaka: From Osaka Station, take the Osaka Loop Line to Tsuruhashi Station, then change to the Kintetsu Limited Express Line and stay onboard until you reach Isuzugawa Station. It’s just a five-minute bus or taxi ride to the shrine. The entire trip can take around three hours, so leave early!

The Kanname-sai Festival unfolds over three days, with each day holding special significance. While the most sacred rituals are performed by priests in private, visitors can still experience the festival's atmosphere and observe the public processions.

Offerings at Geku Shrine

The first half of the festival on October 15 and 16 is centered around Geku — Ise Jingu’s outer shrine dedicated to Toyouke-hime, the goddess of agriculture. On this day, newly harvested rice is presented as an offering. This act symbolizes the nation's gratitude for the year’s harvest and the deity’s protection. While visitors cannot witness the private rituals, they are welcome to observe the large procession as enormous wagons carrying the offerings are paraded through the streets towards the shrine and the deities contained within.

Procession to Naiku Shrine

The second day marks the festival's climax. The sacred offerings are transported from the outer shrine to Naiku, the inner shrine, in a solemn procession. Naiku enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and mythical ancestress of the Japanese imperial line, making this one of Japan’s most sacred shrines. This journey, partly conducted via the Isuzu River, represents the transition of offerings from the deity of agriculture to the primary deity of Ise Jingu. Visitors are welcome to observe the tremendous journey the offerings make towards the inner shrine, as hundreds of locals wade through the river dragging the offerings behind them.

For those planning an overnight stay to experience the Kanname-sai Festival in full, here are some recommended hotels:

1. Ryoso Uminocho

Located on the coast, within driving distance from Ise Jingu, Ryoso Uminocho provides an excellent opportunity to experience the Kanname-sai Festival in style. Guests can pick between spacious western-style rooms or Japanese rooms with tatami mat floors, many of which have breathtaking views of the Ise Sea. 

The on-site onsen (hot spring bath) provides the perfect way to relax after a day watching the procession. The property also offers a unique beach glamping experience, where you can stay overnight on the beachfront in a state-of-the-art and luxurious tent.

2. Ise Pearlpier Hotel

Ise Pearlpier Hotel offers both comfort and convenience for visitors attending the Kanname-sai Festival. Located just a two-minute walk from the north exit of Iseshi Station, it provides easy access to both the festival venues and the wider Ise-Shima area. The hotel’s proximity to Ise Jingu is particularly noteworthy, with Geku (the outer shrine) a mere five-minute walk away, making it incredibly convenient for the festival's first day.

Other accommodations