Product Description

The Autumn Grand Festival at Meiji Jingū Shrine is a prestigious week-long event featuring Japan’s rich traditional performing arts and rituals. Celebrated annually in early November, this festival honors Emperor Meiji’s legacy and showcases exquisite cultural ceremonies, including the famed Yabusame (horseback archery) on November 3rd, Culture Day.

The festival is a must-see for those interested in experiencing the heart of Japanese history, music, dance, and martial arts in the serene forested setting of Meiji Shrine.

Festival Dates & Main Events

October 25 – November 23:

• Chrysanthemum Exhibition along the Main Approach, displaying beautifully cultivated chrysanthemums offered by various flower associations, symbolizing longevity and honor.

October 26 (Saturday):

• 11:00 AM: Bugaku Dance (Enbu) performed on the Shinzen Stage — This court dance has been performed for over 1,200 years and includes intricate choreography accompanied by flutes, drums, and gongs.

November 1 (Friday):

• 10:00 AM: Enshrinement Commemoration Festival — Celebrates the 100th anniversary of Emperor Meiji’s enshrinement with sacred ceremonies.
• 12:00 PM: Noh and Kyogen Performances — Featuring the half-Noh play “Toru” and the comedic Kyogen “Onigawara,” performed by master actors with traditional costumes and masks.
• 3:45 PM: Sankyoku Music Session — Three traditional Japanese songs performed with koto, shamisen, and flute on the Shinto Stage.

November 2 (Saturday):

• 10:00 AM: Autumn Festival Second Day Ceremony — Includes ritual prayers and performances.
• 11:45 AM: Japanese Music and Dance — Classical Nagauta dances such as “Gekizaru” and “Oimatsu” performed by expert dancers.

November 3 (National Holiday – Culture Day):

• 9:00 AM: National Kyudo (Japanese archery) Tournament — Around 200 archers from the All Japan Kyudo Federation participate, offering prayers with precision shots.
• 9:00 AM: Aikido Demonstration — A display of this modern martial art emphasizing harmony and defense.
• 10:30 AM: Kobudo Tournament — Showcasing ancient martial arts like jujutsu, naginatajutsu, and kusarigamajutsu, some of which are rare and nearly lost arts.
• 11:00 AM: Momote Ceremony — A ritual involving ten archers each shooting ten arrows to invite and honor the gods, performed on the shrine grounds.
• 1:30 PM: Yabusame (Horseback Archery) — A thrilling display of archers on horseback shooting arrows at targets, a ritual with roots tracing back to the 6th century.
• 3:00 PM: Satsuma Biwa Performance of “Atsumori” — A narrative musical drama recounting historical samurai tales, performed with the distinctive biwa lute.

Festival Highlights and Cultural Significance

The festival combines centuries-old rituals with spectacular performances, reflecting Japan’s imperial heritage and cultural sophistication. The Kagura dance “Tokoshie no Mai”, performed on November 1st, is inspired by an imperial poem and symbolizes eternal peace and prosperity.

The Bugaku dances are elegant courtly performances featuring traditional costumes, masks, and music, some of which originated over 1,200 years ago from continental Asia.

The Noh and Kyogen plays performed at the festival are classical Japanese theatre arts; Noh is a solemn drama with poetic gestures and masks, while Kyogen provides comedic relief with lively dialogue.

The martial arts demonstrations reflect Japan’s dedication to preserving traditional warrior disciplines, with Kyudo’s precise archery rituals, Aikido’s flowing defensive techniques, and Kobudo’s demonstration of ancient weaponry.

The festival also serves as a communal celebration honoring Emperor Meiji, whose reign marked Japan’s transition from feudal isolation to modern nationhood.

About Meiji Jingū Shrine

Meiji Jingū Shrine, built in 1920, is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. The shrine is set in a large, tranquil forested area of approximately 70 hectares, offering a peaceful escape from the urban bustle of Tokyo. The surrounding forest was planted by volunteers from across Japan to honor the emperor’s spirit.

The shrine grounds include the main hall (honden), offering hall, treasure museum, and several smaller shrines, along with scenic walking paths shaded by towering trees.

Location: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557
Access: A 5-10 minute walk from Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) or Meiji-Jingūmae Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Lines)
Note: Visitors should enter via the Yoyogi entrance; the Harajuku and Sangubashi entrances are closed during the festival.

Visitor Information

• Admission: Free to attend all festival events. Donations to the shrine are optional and welcome.
• Facilities: Bicycle and motorcycle parking available near entrances.
• Accessibility: Paths are mostly flat and suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, though some gravel areas may be present.
• Safety: Visitors should walk carefully, especially on the shrine grounds where wild animals such as raccoon dogs may cross unexpectedly.
• Photography: Allowed at most events, but please respect performance areas and shrine etiquette.
• Weather: Early November can be cool and crisp—dress warmly for outdoor ceremonies.
• Nearby: Harajuku and Omotesando offer shopping and dining options before or after the festival visit.

Additional Tips

• Arrive early on November 3rd to secure a good viewing spot for the Yabusame horseback archery and martial arts demonstrations.
• Check the official website or contact the shrine directly for any last-minute schedule changes or special event updates.
• Combine your visit with a stroll through Yoyogi Park or Takeshita Street for a full Tokyo cultural experience.

Contact & Official Website

Phone: 03-3379-5511
Website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/