A New Summer Tradition to Visit! Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi, Known as "Izumo of Kanto," Holds Its "Natsu-Mōde" Summer Pilgrimage from July 1 (Wed) to August 31 (Mon)

Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi (in Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture), affectionately known as "Izumo of Kanto," will hold its "Natsu-Mōde" (Summer Pilgrimage) from July 1 (Wed), 2026 to August 31 (Mon), 2026.

"Natsu-Mōde" is a new seasonal tradition inspired by the custom of performing the "Ōharae" (Great Purification) ritual at year-end and visiting shrines for Hatsumōde (New Year's visit). In this practice, people visit shrines in summer—specifically after the mid-year purification ritual "Nagoshi no Harae" held at the end of June—to cleanse themselves of impurities accumulated over the first half of the year, express gratitude for safety, and pray for continued health in the coming half-year.

Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi is a branch shrine of Izumo Taisha Kyō, dedicated to Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami, the principal deity enshrined at Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture. Established in Hadano City in 1888 (Meiji 21) to spread the deity's blessings throughout the Kanto region, it has become widely beloved as "Izumo of Kanto."

The shrine enshrines Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami (affectionately known as Daikoku-sama) and Kotoshironushi-no-Ōkami, allowing visitors in Kanto to receive the same divine blessings as those visiting the main Izumo Taisha in Shimane without making the long journey. Revered for benefits including matchmaking, business prosperity, household safety, academic success, and misfortune avoidance, the shrine is cherished as a guardian deity of the local community.

This year's "Natsu-Mōde" will feature a variety of special events, including a limited-edition summer-themed goshuin (shrine stamp) designed with the Chinese lantern plant (hōzuki), traditionally offered as an offering during Obon; a "mizu omikuji" (water fortune slip) that reveals your fortune when placed in water; and dynamic performances by the energetic "Hadano Kankō Wadaiko" (Hadano Tourism Taiko Drum) group, among other seasonal attractions to welcome both pilgrims and local visitors.

Additionally, the shrine will offer "Yuzuri no Mizu" (Water of Succession), cool spring water bubbling up in the precinct's "Forest of a Thousand Years." Drawn from 50 meters underground, this water is part of the Hadano Basin groundwater system, naturally filtered and safe to drink (subject to annual water quality testing by the local health department). Having flowed since the Keichō era, it was ranked first nationwide in the "Delicious Water" category of the Environment Ministry's "100 Best Water Sources Grand Selection" in 2016 (Heisei 28). Visitors may take this renowned water home in their own bottles (containers are also available for purchase).

Come experience the unique atmosphere of summer at Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi, where you can feel the buzz of cicadas and the refreshing coolness of pristine spring water with all five senses.

【Overview: Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi "Natsu-Mōde"]

Period: July 1 (Wed), 2026 – August 31 (Mon), 2026

Location: Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi

Address: 1221 Hirazawa, Hadano City, Kanagawa 257-0015

Phone: 0463-81-1122

URL: https://www.izumosan.com/

Access: Bus or on foot from Odakyu Line "Hadano Station" or "Shibuya Station"; 10 minutes from the "Hadano-Nakai Interchange" on the Tōmei Expressway. (For details, please visit the official website.)

Parking: 130 spaces (free)

<Natsu-Mōde Event Schedule>

Throughout the period: Limited goshuin, special decorations, mizu omikuji, flower chōzuya (hand-washing basin), water collection, street piano (10:00–16:00)

July 5: Nagoshi no Harae and Chigi-no-Wa Kuguri (passing through the sacred ring) (16:00). Also held on June 28 at 15:00 and June 30 at 18:00.

July 11: Hōzuki Market (10:00–17:00), Iaido demonstration (11:00–), Chindon band "Dotteko-Za" (13:00–)

July 12: Hōzuki Market (10:00–17:00), Hadano Kankō Wadaiko (11:00–, 13:00–)

Until July 20: Deadline for submissions to the 5th Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi Photo and Landscape Art Contest

<Natsu-Mōde Events>

1 Nagoshi no Harae and Chigi-no-Wa Kuguri Ritual

An annual purification ritual held on the last day of June. Participants, led by shrine priests, pass through a sacred ring (chigi-no-wa) made of sacred grass while purification waka poetry is recited.

Held on June 28, June 30, and July 5.

Offering: ¥3,000 per household. No reservation required.

During the Natsu-Mōde period, the sacred ring will be available for visitors to pass through.

2 [Natsu-Mōde] Limited Goshuin (available throughout the period)

Handwritten goshuin featuring a design of the hōzuki (Chinese lantern plant), traditionally offered during Obon. Can be written directly into your goshuin-cho (stamp book) or provided pre-written on washi paper.

Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi: ¥500, Mitake Shrine: ¥300, Yasaka Shrine: ¥300, Kirie Goshuin (cut-paper design): ¥1,000

3 [Village of Famous Water] Decorations, "Mizu Omikuji," and "Water Collection" to Experience Hadano's Famous Water with All Five Senses (throughout the period)

Visitors can purify themselves with cool groundwater at the chōzuya (hand-washing basin) even in peak summer. The precincts will be adorned with refreshing wind chimes, flower chōzuya, and mist showers from the spring water. Also available for purchase is the "mizu omikuji," a refreshing summer fortune-telling slip that reveals your fortune when placed in water.

Mizu omikuji: ¥300 per draw

As mentioned, "Yuzuri no Mizu" spring water from the "Forest of a Thousand Years" on the shrine grounds will be available for visitors. Through the "mizu tori" (water collection) program, visitors may take home this spring water in their own bottles or containers (containers also available for purchase).

The Hadano Basin, surrounded by the Tanzawa Mountains and the Oiso (Shibuya) Hills where Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi is located, is the only basin in Kanagawa Prefecture and holds an estimated 750 million tons of groundwater. "Yuzuri no Mizu," which has flowed since the Keichō era, is one of the Hadano Basin groundwater sources and was ranked first nationwide in the "Delicious Water" category of the Environment Ministry's "100 Best Water Sources Grand Selection" in 2016 (Heisei 28). It has become a beloved spot where many pilgrims come to collect water.

The spring water, drawn from 50 meters underground, is naturally filtered and safe to drink. Water quality is regularly tested by the local health department to ensure safety.

Take-home containers: Special PET bottle ¥200, Famous Water Bottle ¥1,200

4 Seasonal Limited: Nagoshi Tofu

Traditionally, white tofu is believed to possess spiritual power strong enough to ward off evil, and has long been eaten as a means of purification. During the Nagoshi no Harae period, "Nagoshi Tofu" will be sold at a stall on the shrine grounds—a special tofu eaten to cleanse the sins and impurities accumulated over the past six months.

~Premium Water~ Made with the renowned water of Hadano, selected as one of Japan's "100 Best Water Sources" in 1985 (Shōwa 60) and ranked first in the "Delicious Water" category of the 2016 (Heisei 28) grand selection. Enjoy this delicious tofu as a treat or souvenir.

5 Hōzuki Market

Colorful hōzuki plants will decorate the shrine grounds. Traditionally offered during Obon, hōzuki are said to symbolize the bright red eyes of the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters). Their bright red fruit resembles lanterns, guiding ancestral spirits returning during Obon (various interpretations exist).

The market will also feature stalls, cold tofu sales, and special events along the approach to the shrine.

Dates: July 11 (Sat) – 12 (Sun), 10:00–17:00 each day

Items for sale: Hōzuki in baskets, cut hōzuki flowers, etc.

6 Iaido Demonstration, Hadano Kankō Wadaiko, Chindon Band "Dotteko-Za"

Dynamic Iaido sword demonstrations and powerful performances by the Hadano Kankō Wadaiko drum group will energize the summer festivities.

Schedule:

· Iaido Demonstration: July 11 (Sat), 11:00–

· Chindon Band "Dotteko-Za": July 11 (Sat), 13:00–

· Hadano Kankō Wadaiko: July 12 (Sun), 11:00–, 13:00–

7 Street Piano Installation

A street piano, open for anyone to play, will be available on the shrine grounds during the event period.

Originally used in wedding ceremonies, this piano was never used due to pandemic-related restrictions and had been stored away. It has now been repurposed as a street piano and opened to visitors. Please enjoy it and create joyful memories.

Period: Daily during Natsu-Mōde, 10:00–16:00

Notes:

· Cancelled in case of rain

· Free to use

· Photography and social media posting allowed (please use the hashtag #出雲大社相模分祠)

· No reservation required

· Children under elementary school age must be accompanied by an adult

8 5th Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi Photo and Landscape Art Contest

The shrine is hosting a photo and landscape art contest open to the public, themed around "scenes, people, flora, and fauna within the shrine precincts, festivals, and events."

Example of past winning entry: Grand Prize, Photography Division, 4th Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi Photo Contest

Deadline: July 20 (Mon), 2026

Categories: SNS Photo Division, General Photography Division (two categories)

Prizes: Grand Prize ¥20,000, Excellence Prize ¥10,000, Selected Entry (prize)

URL: https://izumotaisha.org/

※ For submission guidelines and details, please visit the official website.

Reference

About Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi

Founded in 1888 (Meiji 21) upon request by Senge Takafumi, the 80th-generation chief priest of Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture, Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi was established by Kusayama Teitai, a revered figure known as the founder of Hadano tobacco and a long-serving shrine priest. It was created as a key site to spread the virtues of Ōkuninushi-no-Ōkami throughout the Kanto region. Since then, the shrine has grown in stature through expansions including a wedding hall, main hall additions, and large-scale tree planting.

Closely associated with sumo, the shrine has hosted vibrant events for over 30 years during New Year's visits and Setsubun, featuring sumo wrestlers from the Isegahama stable. Through the preservation of Izumo kagura (sacred music and dance), Shinto rituals, and traditional festivals, the shrine aims to maintain the spirit of old Japan and serve as a nostalgic, community-centered space that preserves the essence of traditional matsuri (festivals).

Sub-Station Name Signage for Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi Installed at Odakyu Line's "Hadano Station"! In-Train Announcements Now Live! In October 2022, a sub-station name sign for Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunshi was installed at Odakyu Line's "Hadano Station." Starting December 2025, in-train announcements for trains stopping at Hadano Station will include the shrine's name. This initiative aims to make the shrine more familiar to station users and, through vibrant events like New Year's visits and seasonal festivals, contribute to community development and enrich the lives of residents along the Odakyu Line.