Hidden Wonders | A 1,200-Year-Old Festival at Chiba's Famous Surfing Beach

Under the vast blue sky, the coastline of Kujukuri Beach seems to stretch endlessly. Every year on September 13, young men and women dash along the shore, carrying portable shrines (mikoshi) in a lively race. It is part of the sacred shinkosai procession of the Kazusa Junisha Festival. 

The festival is held at Tsurigasaki Beach in the town of Ichinomiya in Chiba Prefecture, a famous surfing destination and the site of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic surfing events.

An Ancient Tradition

The Kazusa Junisha Festival is believed to have originated from the legendary arrival of the goddess Tamayorihime, the deity of Tamasaki Shrine, who is said to have come ashore at Tsurigasaki. According to the tale, the deities of her family gather here once a year.

The festival is believed to have begun in 807 CE, giving it a history of over 1,200 years. Known as the oldest seaside ritual on the Boso Peninsula, it features nine mikoshi brought from shrines within and outside the town.

Come Rain or Shine

"Even if spears fall from the sky or a typhoon comes, the festival is always held on September 13. One year, we carried on despite a typhoon," said Kazunori Morita, chief of the Tamasaki Shrine's representative council. "We went to the sea and shouted, 'Don’t you dare wash the mikoshi away!'"

Amidst the lingering summer heat, the mikoshi, having left their respective shrines, made their way toward the sea. The mikoshi from Tamasaki Shrine, weighing about 480 kilograms (1058 lbs), was carried roughly 8 kilometers (5 mi) from the shrine to Tsurigasaki Beach. Though a daunting task, the pride and dedication of the participants uphold this traditional festival.

"I’ve been carrying mikoshi since I was young, and I’ve always been determined to do so, no matter what. Tamasaki Shrine in Ichinomiya holds great prestige and is a source of pride for us," Morita reflected on his deep connection to the festival.

As the festival drew to a close, the gathered mikoshi were lifted high, as if celebrating their annual reunion. After safely completing the event, they began their return journey to their respective shrines. Shouts of farewell echoed through the beach's torii gate, marking the end of the festival.

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Kan Emori, The Sankei Shimbun