What this is
Over 2,500 bare-chested young men sprinting along the shore of Kujukuri Beach carrying portable shrines — this is one of the oldest Shinto procession rituals in the Boso Peninsula, with more than 1,200 years of continuous history. The procession moves from Tamasaki Shrine to Tsurugasaki Beach, where the main ceremony is held on September 13 in honour of the deity Tamayorihime and her divine family. The scale and raw energy of the beach setting make it visually unlike most shrine festivals held in urban or forested environments.
Who should go
Anyone interested in living Shinto tradition or Japanese folk ritual at a serious scale. The beach setting and sheer number of participants make it worth the trip even for visitors with only a passing interest in religious festivals.
Good to know
This is a public outdoor ritual with no ticketing — simply arrive at the beach or along the procession route. The September 13 main ceremony at Tsurugasaki Beach is the centrepiece, so position yourself there early for the best view of the portable shrine procession arriving at the shore. Kujukuri Beach is a long stretch of coastline, so confirm the specific gathering point locally or via the Chiba tourism board before you go. There are no major facilities at the beach itself, so bring cash for any food stalls that may be set up by local vendors. Foreign visitors should note that the Boso Peninsula has limited English signage — downloading offline maps and a translation app beforehand is strongly recommended.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.