Matsuri BiyoriCalendar of Japan's UNESCO-listed festivals
Scene from Toride Shrine Kujirabune Whale Boat Event
Photo: かとさん / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Yama, Hoko, Yatai
Calculated

Toride Shrine Kujirabune Whale Boat Event

Japanese name: 鳥出神社の鯨船行事（とりでじんじゃのくじらぶねぎょうじ）

Yokkaichi, Mie

2027

  • Sat, Sep 25

    Machi-neri (town parade)

  • Sun, Sep 26

    Hon-neri (main parade) and shrine visit

Check with the organizers or local government
ABOUT

About the festival

This event is held at Toride Shrine in the Tomida district of Yokkaichi City. Whale-boat floats decorated with carvings and embroidery parade through town, and in the shrine grounds the whole hunt is enacted, from spotting and chasing the whale to striking it with a harpoon and landing it. It celebrates happy events in the community, such as new houses, weddings, and births, and prays for a good harvest.

  • Neri in the shrine grounds, enacting the battle between the whale and the whale boats

  • Whale-boat floats decorated with carvings and embroidery

  • The fire-prevention rite held at the shrine before the festival

DETAILS

Key facts

Category
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Yama, Hoko, Yatai float festivals
Location
Yokkaichi, Mie
Main venue
Toride Shrine and the Tomida district of Yokkaichi
Getting there
About a 7-minute walk to Toride Shrine from JR Tomida Station or Kintetsu-Tomida Station.

Sources

This description was written by Matsuri Biyori based on public information. Dates and details may change. Please check the organizers' latest information before you go. Translated from the Japanese original.

FAQ

FAQ

When is Toride Shrine Kujirabune Whale Boat Event held in 2027?
In 2027, it is scheduled for Sat, Sep 25 – Sun, Sep 26 (Calculated from the usual rule).
Where is Toride Shrine Kujirabune Whale Boat Event held?
It is held in Yokkaichi, Mie. The main venue is Toride Shrine and the Tomida district of Yokkaichi.
How are the dates of Toride Shrine Kujirabune Whale Boat Event set?
The first Saturday (machi-neri) and Sunday (hon-neri) on or after September 23. Changed from August 14 and 15 starting in 2025 (as a measure against extreme heat).