Miyoshi Bonden Festival

Last Updated on January 20, 2025

Event Overview

The Miyoshi Bonden Festival, held annually at Mt. Taihei Miyoshi Shrine in Akita Prefecture, is a dynamic and occasionally chaotic event where teams compete to be the first to present their offerings at the shrine. This fervent race is believed to bring good health, abundant harvests, and prosperity to the participants.

The Bonden are sacred wands, traditionally believed to attract the attention of the gods. At this festival, they are elaborately decorated bamboo staffs that can reach impressive heights of up to 13 feet. While similar festivals occur throughout Akita Prefecture, the one at Mt. Taihei boasts the largest scale.

The atmosphere is charged with a competitive spirit as teams vie to be the first to reach the shrine with their bonden. However, the competition extends beyond the participants.

Spectators also actively engage, pushing and vying to touch the charms adorning the wands, seeking to absorb some of the good luck and divine power.

One of the principal deities at Mt. Taihei Miyoshi Shrine is Miyoshi Reijin, the God of Power, who, according to legend, appreciates a bit of lively jostling – hence the festival’s nickname, “Bonden Fight.”

Venue Information

Location: Taiheizan Miyoshi Shrine

Dates: 17th January 2026

Opening Times: 10:30 am - 12:00 am

Entry Cost

Free.

Nearest Station

Hachirogata Station

Ou Main Line