Matsutaki-sai (Dontosai) at Osaki Hachimangu
High crowdTohokuSendai, Miyagi
Date
January 14
Region
Tohoku
About this festival
Matsutaki-sai, locally known as Dontosai, is held at Osaki Hachimangu each year from sunset on January 14 until the early morning of January 15. New Year pine decorations, shimenawa ropes and talismans are burned in the sacred fire, and some worshippers take part in hadaka-mairi, visiting the shrine in minimal clothing. Sendai City has designated it an intangible folk cultural property, and JNTO's 2025 calendar listed a start from 16:00.
Highlights
- โSacred fire burns New Year decorations and talismans
- โHadaka-mairi worshippers in minimal clothing
- โDesignated by Sendai City as an intangible folk cultural property
- โAbout 300 years of history, according to the shrine's tradition
Getting There
JR Tohoku Fukushi University-mae Station, about 15 minutes on foot; or a city bus from JR Sendai Station to Osaki Hachimangu-mae (about 20 minutes)
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