Way Off the Beaten Path in Tottori Prefecture

Ube Shrine’s annual festival is held on April 21st every year. This shrine was established in the year 648 and has appeared on a couple of printings of Japanese bank notes (paper money). The annual festival consists of a euphoric procession lead by the head priest, a lion dance (designated as an intangible folk cultural asset of the prefecture), the march of the warriors (this is from pre-samurai times) in full armour, followed by the dance of the maidens.

Ube Shrine’s Annual Festival, known as 宇倍神社例大祭 (Ube Jinja Reitai-sai), is a vibrant traditional event held at Ube Shrine in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. It features ancient rituals with deep historical roots, drawing locals and visitors for its cultural performances.

Ube Shrine’s Annual Festival Dates

The main events span several days in mid-April, typically including a Sunday for the御幸祭 (Mikoshi procession). In 2026, the御幸祭 occurs today, April 19 (Sunday), with宵宮 (eve festival) on April 20 and the core例祭 (main festival) on April 21.

Key Highlights of Ube Shrine’s Annual Festival

麒麟獅子舞 (Kirin Lion Dance): A 350-year-old performance from the early Edo period (around 1650), designated as a Tottori Prefecture intangible folk cultural asset. It’s held on the eve at 8 p.m. and festival day at 10 a.m., featuring a dramatic single-horned lion dance.

御幸祭 Procession: Features one of Japan’s largest mikoshi (portable shrines) carried up steep stone steps, plus a武者行列 (warrior parade) and奴の舞 (slaves’ dance), reenacting Edo-period processions.

Other rituals include浦安の舞 (peaceful dance) and草履取りの舞 (slipper-removal dance).

Historical Context

Ube Shrine, one of Inaba Province’s oldest (Heian period origins), is revered for business prosperity as the first shrine featured on Japanese banknote designs. The festival preserves因幡国府 traditions from Nara to Kamakura eras.

References

In English

http://www.torican.jp/english/famous-and-historical01/historical04

http://www.kansaimatsuri.com/en/matsuri/86/”>

https://www.kirinnomachi-japan-heritage.jp/en/reisai/

https://www.torican.jp/en/spot/detail_2816.html

https://www.sparkle.travel/en/place/827e7114-dc5c-11ee-9b39-c7c8948f11a7

https://exotericjapan.com/april-in-japan-%E5%9B%9B%E6%9C%88-holidays-and-events

In Japanese

https://www.ubejinja.or.jp/new-sampai/omatsuri/

https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/225295.htm

https://www.nihon-kankou.or.jp/tottori/312011/detail/31201ba2212059703

https://www.iwafu.com/jp/events/1066657

https://www.torican.jp/spot/detail_1031.html

https://www.ubejinja.or.jp/new-news/omatsuri/

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AE%87%E5%80%8D%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE

https://shrineheritager.com/ube-shrine/

https://www.ubejinja.or.jp/new-news/336/

Photo thanks to UbeJinja.or.jp.

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