Held annually from Oct 1 to 3, the Autumn Grand Festival of Munakata Taisha begins with the Miare Festival on the first day. In this Shinto maritime ritual, deities from Okitsu-no-miya (Okinoshima) and Nakatsu-no-miya (Oshima) are ceremonially transferred by boat to Hetsu-miya, the main shrine of the Munakata Sanjojin (three goddesses). From 09:30, the sacred boats depart Oshima Port, accompanied by over 100 fishing vessels adorned with colorful flags, forming a striking parade across the sea toward Konominato. This marks the opening of the shrine’s autumn celebrations.
On Oct 2, rituals of thanksgiving for peace, good harvests, and maritime safety continue, including yabusame (horseback archery) and Shuki Chihō Fūzokumai folk dances. The festival concludes on Oct 3 in the evening with the solemn Yūkyū-mai, a traditional courtly dance.
Miare Festival
• 10/1 (Wed.)
• Leave Oshima Port 9:30, arrive Konominato Port 10:40
• Konominato Port area
• 487-29 Konominato Port, Munakata City, Fukuoka
Autumn Festival
• 10/1 (Wed.) ~ 10/3 (Fri.)
• Munakata Shrine
• 2331 Tajima, Munakata City, Fukuoka
• https://munakata-taisha.or.jp/archives/1286
Kyushu Live – Miare Festival (2022)