Ouma Nagashi Ritual & Purification Tradition
Every year, in Honmoku, Yokohama, the Ouma Nagashi event is held during summer. The event is believed to take evil out of the town by throwing the figures into the sea. It is a kind of purification ritual. It has been practiced for nearly 450 years since the medieval era when feudal warlords were fighting each other to survive.
Originally the figures were sent offshore by six wooden boats before the 1950s. Until last year, fishing motorboats had been used to bring the Ouma figures offshore. Last year the wooden boats came back for the first time in 50 years after being repaired thanks to donations by local residents and businesses. This historic revival of traditional watercraft has injected a powerful sense of authenticity and community pride into the modern observance.
The ritual serves as a profound spiritual anchor for the coastal community, cleansing the town of misfortune and praying for safety, health, and prosperity. Passing down this complex sequence of sacred duties from elders to younger generations ensures that centuries of local spiritual heritage remain unbroken. Witnessing the solemn transition from land-based purification to the maritime release offers a rare window into authentic medieval Japanese folklore.
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- A centuries-old purification ritual practiced continuously for nearly 450 years since the medieval era
- Ancient spiritual purpose centered on removing misfortune and evil from the coastal town of Honmoku
- The remarkable return of traditional wooden boats after a 50-year absence, restored through community donations
- Strict adherence to ancestral ceremonial protocols handed down through generations of shrine parishioners
- A unique blend of Shinto spirituality, local folklore, and maritime community traditions
- Prayers for safety, health, and regional prosperity offered on behalf of all local residents
- Deep cultural continuity bridging feudal-era survival struggles with contemporary Yokohama life
When to Attend
- Event Date: Early August 2027 (Dates TBD)
- Event Duration: Multi-day summer purification ritual featuring shrine dedications, street processions, and maritime ceremonies
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Ouma Figures & Sacred Procession
Ouma is a figure with the head of a horse and a turtle-like body made of straw. Every year six pieces of Ouma are made for the event, which are dedicated to the Honmoku Shinto shrine. They are brought to the shrine by men in formal kimono in the early morning of the day before the event. After they stay in the shrine overnight, they are carried throughout the town of Honmoku in the morning. Then they are sent about 5km offshore by boats from the Honmoku fishing port and thrown into the sea.
- Specialized straw construction featuring a horse head and turtle-like body representing purification vessels
- Creation of exactly six distinct Ouma figures dedicated annually to the Honmoku Shinto shrine
- Delivery to the shrine by men dressed in formal traditional kimono during the early morning hours
- Overnight sacred vigil spent resting within the hallowed precincts of the shrine
- Morning procession carrying the figures through the residential and commercial streets of Honmoku
- Scheduled movements including arrival at the shrine at 10:00 and departure at 08:00
- Final transport via fishing port boats to a location five kilometers offshore for release into the sea
Mikoshi Procession & Local Festival Participants
On the day of Ouma Nagashi ritual, six portable shrines, carried by men and women of all ages get together from six areas of Honmoku near MYCAL Honmoku to show off their high spirits in their own local matsuri festival costumes. That is the moment when Honmoku streets come alive with their cheerful calls, and everyone forgets the scorching heat of high summer. And it is an occasion for us to feel and smell the history of the town.
The gathering of mikoshi portable shrines from multiple neighborhood sectors fosters deep unity across the entire district. Participants of diverse backgrounds, from energetic youths to seasoned community elders, coordinate their efforts to shoulder the heavy sacred palanquins. Their synchronized movements and spirited chants echo off local buildings, creating an atmosphere of electric excitement.
Honmoku Shrine & Festival History
Honmoku Shrine stands as the spiritual heart of the community, anchoring centuries of local faith and ritual practice. Established long before the rapid modernization of the surrounding urban landscape, the shrine has weathered profound historical changes while maintaining its sacred responsibilities. It serves as the custodian of the Ouma Nagashi tradition, ensuring its faithful execution year after year.
The history of the festival is deeply intertwined with the defensive struggles and daily realities of medieval coastal dwellers. Feudal warlords fought for dominance during the era when these purification rites were first established, placing spiritual protection at the center of community life. Over the centuries, the ritual evolved from a localized survival custom into a treasured cultural asset recognized across Kanagawa Prefecture.
- Honmoku Shrine serving as the ancient spiritual sanctuary and custodian of the festival
- Historical roots extending back to the medieval era of feudal conflicts and survival struggles
- Continuous preservation of sacred purification rites through centuries of shifting societal landscapes
- Close collaboration between shrine priests, local parishioners, and cultural preservation groups
- Successful community efforts to revive historical customs, including traditional boat transport
- The shrine grounds acting as the sacred focal point for overnight artifact consecration
- Enduring cultural significance establishing the event as a pillar of local identity in Yokohama
Admission Details
- How Tickets Are Sold: No tickets or advance purchases are required, as public viewing along the procession routes and coastal areas is fully open access.
- Admission Type: Free Admission
- Ticket Pricing: Free Admission (minimum $0.00 to maximum $0.00 range)
- Special Seating Options: General standing room along the public streets and viewing zones near Honmoku Shrine is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- VIP Options: There are no specialized VIP enclosures or exclusive ticket packages offered for this traditional community-led Shinto ritual.
Traditional Costumes, Chants & Festival Participants
Participants wear immaculate traditional garments that reflect the solemnity and joy of the historic summer occasion. Formal kimono worn during the initial dedication contrasted with vibrant festival coats worn during the mikoshi parade create a visually striking progression. Every attire choice honors the distinct ceremonial roles assigned to different community members.
The acoustic environment is heavily defined by rhythmic chanting, traditional call-and-response shouts, and the steady tramp of sandals on asphalt. These vocalizations unify the procession teams, helping bearers maintain physical stamina and synchronous momentum under the scorching summer sun. The collective soundscape immerses onlookers in an authentic historical atmosphere.
Contact & Information
- Phone Number: +81 45-621-7611
- Website: http://honmoku.or.jp
Honmoku’s Maritime Heritage & Community Culture
Beautiful beaches existed at the shores of Honmoku only 50 years ago. Honmoku was a fishing village, where villagers produced seaweed and farmed fish. Among them were anago sea eels and shako shrimp. They are important ingredients of “Edo style sushi”. The beaches were reclaimed to expand the port facilities in the 1960’s. Still, some fishermen continue to fish off Honmoku from this fishing port. Now we seldom have an occasion to enjoy the smell of the sea close by even though we are living in Honmoku, which used to be famous for its beautiful beaches.
- Former coastal identity as a thriving fishing village producing seaweed and seafood delicacies
- Historic harvest of anago sea eels and shako shrimp foundational to traditional Edo-style sushi
- Major twentieth-century land reclamation projects reshaping the local shoreline for port expansion
- The festival serving as a living vehicle to remember and honor lost natural beaches
- Active involvement of local fishermen utilizing the fishing port for the offshore maritime release
- Preserving the sensory memory of the sea within a heavily urbanized modern district
- Strong community bonds forged through shared reflection on regional maritime history
Where to Go
- City and Country: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Venue Name: Honmoku Shrine and Honmoku Fishing Port
- Google Maps Address: 19-19 Honmokuwada, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0827, Japan
Location
FAQ
What is the primary spiritual purpose of the Ouma Nagashi festival?
The ritual functions as a major purification ceremony designed to collect and cast away misfortune, evil, and impurities from the town of Honmoku. By sending the straw figures out to sea, the community prays for ongoing health, safety, and regional prosperity.
What are the straw Ouma figures and how are they constructed?
Ouma figures are symbolic effigies meticulously woven from natural straw, featuring the distinct head of a horse and the body of a turtle. Exactly six of these detailed straw figures are crafted annually and dedicated to the Honmoku Shinto shrine.
How long has this traditional purification ritual been practiced?
The historic custom has been continuously practiced for nearly 450 years, dating back to the medieval era of feudal conflict. It represents one of the oldest surviving folk religious traditions maintained in the Yokohama coastal region.
What happens during the maritime phase of the ceremony?
Following morning street processions, the consecrated Ouma figures are transported from the fishing port onto traditional wooden boats. They are taken approximately five kilometers offshore into open waters and cast into the sea to complete the purification rite.
Where does the community mikoshi procession take place?
Six portable shrines gather from various neighborhoods near MYCAL Honmoku to parade through the local streets. Participants wearing festive attire carry the palanquins while filling the urban thoroughfares with spirited traditional chants and high energy.
How has the local geography of Honmoku changed over the decades?
Honmoku was once a celebrated fishing village featuring beautiful natural beaches and rich harvests of seaweed and seafood. Although extensive land reclamation in the 1960s expanded port facilities and altered the coastline, the festival keeps its maritime heritage alive.
When should visitors check for official scheduling and timing details?
Because exact dates are determined annually for early August, travelers should consult the official shrine website for up-to-date announcements. The site provides essential Japanese-language schedules regarding morning shrine departures and festival events.
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