Horaiji Temple Dengaku Festival
Date: Jan 3,2026(Sat)
A festival as old as time
The Dengaku Festival at famous Horaiji Temple originated as a memorial service, idealized by the monks as a ritualistic dance to be carried out along with the townspeople. The festival worships the protective divinity of the temple, the head of a mountain-dwelling demon who was beheaded by order of the legendary ascetic Rishu Sennin, to whom the temple's foundation is attributed.
The procedures reached their current model after the cross-mixing believed to have occurred during the Muromachi period, combining elements of the countryside life and asceticism with the religious faith in Bhaisajyaguru, the Buddha of Medicine, also known in Japan as Yakushi Nyorai. Held mainly to pray for an abundant harvest, this folkloric art features extensive performances of religious kagura dance and music as well as ta'asobi movements, and is appointed a national important intangible folk cultural property.
EVENT OVERVIEW
| Date | From around 1:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Place | Dengakudo Hall, Horaiji Temple |
| Location | 〒441-1944 1 Horaiji, Kadoya, Shinshiro-shi, Aichi |
| Parking | Pay parking available (8:00 am–6:00 pm) Note: • JPY 1,100 for standard-size vehicles, JPY 2,200 for large-size vehicles, and JPY 440 for motorcycles on Jan 3 (the busy season). |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Phone number | 0536-35-1004 (Horaiji Temple) |
Note: This page may not be current due to update time differences between site databases.
Should accuracy be critical, please verify this information using a direct source, whenever possible.
ACCESS
-
- Access by public transport
- From Toyohashi Station (board the JR Tokaido Main Line or Meitetsu Nagoya Line from Nagoya Station), take the JR Iida Line to Hon-Nagashino Station. Get off and take the Toyotetsu Bus bound for the Mt. Horaiji peak. Get off at the final stop, then walk 5 min. to the temple and shrines.
-
- Access by car
- • Approx. 22 min. (13.8 km) northeast from Shinshiro Interchange on the Shin-Tomei Expressway via Routes 151, 32, 389, and 524.
• Approx. 50 min. (29.5 km) northeast from Toyokawa Interchange on the Tomei Expressway via Routes 151, 32, 389, and 524.
• Approx. 20 min. (13.1 km) southwest from Horaikyo Interchange on the San-Ennanshin Expressway via Routes 151 and 524.
Share spot information with a smartphone
INFORMATION ON THE SURROUNDING AREA
Shinshiro-City
- Mt. Horaiji and Horaiji Temple
- There is something truly mystical about the atmosphere around holy Mt. Horaiji and the Bud...
Shinshiro-City
- Horaisan Toshogu Shrine
- When shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu made a pilgrimage to Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Tochigi Prefect...
Shinshiro-City
- Weeping Peach Blossoms of Shinshiro (Shidare Momohana no Sato)
- These trees are grown by Volunteer group "Kuroze-Kadoya-Soekawa hana-Ippai Rendo", with lo...
Shinshiro-City
- Yuya Onsen Hot Spring
- Japanese-style inns line the Itajiki River as it runs through Horaikyo Ravine, weaving the...
