Date: January 14, 2015
Time: 4:00pm onwards. Pilgrims arrive around 7:00pm
Venue: Osaki Hachiman Shrine
4-6-1 Hachiman, Aoba, Sendai
On January 14 at the height of winter, the oldest festival in Miyagi Prefecture, the Dontonsai Festival is held. This traditional event is held at shrines where worshippers bring their New Year's decorations to be burned and dedicated in a large sacred bonfire to the shrine's deities. They then pray for good health, good fortune and the well-being of their families.
The largest of these festivals is held at the Osaki Hachiman Shrine in Sendai, famous for its half naked pilgrimage. Participants wear only sparse, white clothing and walk without speaking through the town, ringing bells. The event culminates in a communal purification ritual at the shrine.
 |
 |
Every year numerous pilgrims from Tohoku University march to the shrine in freezing cold temperatures. If you would like to get out and support fellow university staff and students, then Osaki Hachiman Shrine is the place to be!
For more information about Osaki Hachiman Shrine and this 300 year old event, see the shrine's website here:
http://www.oosaki-hachiman.or.jp/pop/index.html
Video by Tohoku University exchange students
- Directions:
- Roads around the shrine will be closed from 5:00pm~9:00pm so taking public transport is the best way to get there.
- ・Shuttle buses run between the Izumi Ward Office and the Aeon Nakayama Shopping Mall from 10:00am ~ 9:30pm every 15~20 mins at a cost of 300 yen.
- ・Buses leave from platform 29-2 in front of Sendai station every 3~10 mins.