Higashimurayama's Summer Arrives: Yasaka Jinja Grand Festival Expected Again in Mid-July 2026

A Midsummer Tradition in Higashimurayama

As summer arrives, the grounds of Yasaka Jinja in Higashimurayama's Sakae-cho fill with the energy of local residents.
The "Yasaka Jinja Grand Festival" is a beloved summer celebration known locally as the "Tenno Matsuri."
It is held over two days every year — the second Saturday of July (Yomiya, the eve) and the second Sunday (Honsai, the main festival day).

In 2025, the festival took place on Saturday July 12 and Sunday July 13.
Following the same pattern, July 11 (Saturday) and July 12 (Sunday) are expected in 2026, though the official dates have not yet been announced.

A Mikoshi Procession Spanning 10 km

The highlight of the Grand Festival is the Jinko-sai and Kanko-sai — a portable shrine procession through the parishioner district carrying the deity.
On the first day (Yomiya), the mikoshi departs from Shofukuji (known for its National Treasure hall, located in Noguchi-cho, Higashimurayama) and makes its way to Yasaka Jinja.
The procession, accompanied by large taiko drums, floats, and lively hayashi music, covers a round trip of approximately 10 km.

On the main Sunday, a ceremony is held to pray for national prosperity, the well-being of the people, and world peace.
In the afternoon, the mikoshi returns to Shofukuji.
The sound of drums and bells ringing through the streets is one of the defining sights and sounds of Higashimurayama's summer.

Stalls Fill the Shrine Grounds

Throughout the two-day festival, the grounds of Yasaka Jinja are lined with food stalls of all kinds.
Classic favorites like yakisoba and kakigori (shaved ice) fill the precinct, drawing everyone from local children to adults.
Along the mikoshi procession route, spectators line the streets, and the whole neighborhood is wrapped in a festival atmosphere.

As dusk falls, paper lanterns are lit, creating an atmosphere unique to the eve celebration.
Even a casual evening stroll through the area is enough to soak up the spirit of the festival.

The History of Yasaka Jinja

Yasaka Jinja, enshrined in Sakae-cho, Higashimurayama, traces its origins to the deity "Gozu Tenno" (Bull-Headed Heavenly King), worshipped as the guardian of Shofukuji, a temple founded in the mid-Kamakura period.
The exact founding date of the shrine is unknown, as records were lost in a fire in the second year of the Kanbun era (1662).
Even so, the faith of the local community has been faithfully passed down, and the shrine continues to be carefully maintained by its parishioners to this day.

Access Information

For the 2026 festival dates and details, please check the Yasaka Jinja official website.
We will share the latest updates on tamafm.com as soon as information is released.

Get a Head Start on Higashimurayama's Summer

The summer festival season is approaching once again.
The Yasaka Jinja Grand Festival is one of the most historically significant and large-scale summer traditions in Higashimurayama.
Since the mikoshi procession passes through the city center, pairing a visit with a stroll around the shopping streets near the station is a great idea.
Once the official information is announced, be sure to mark it on your calendar.