【kiond】Ise Jingu's Greatest Festival, 'Shikinen Sengu,' Held Once Every 20 Years Begins | kiond × VISON Hotel Management × Tatsuki Town Tourism Association Realize the Folk Ritual 'Takihara-gu Mikihiki' – First Ever General Participation Tour

Previous Mikihiki Event

Karsock Co., Ltd. (Location: Taki Town, Mie Prefecture / Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, President: Yoshiyuki Kuribayashi), which operates kiond, will hold the '63rd Grand Festival of Ise Jingu Shrine, Takihara-gu Shrine Mikihiki Special Offering Tour' on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, 2026, as a joint project with VISON Hotel Management and the General Incorporated Association Tatsuki Town Tourism Association.

This unprecedented participatory tour allows ordinary participants to join 'Mikihiki,' a folk ritual held only once every 20 years at Takihara-gu Shrine, a sub-shrine of Ise Jingu and Kotai Jingu (Naiku). It offers a precious experience of participating in the folk ritual that cannot be gained through mere viewing or observation. The tour is operated in cooperation with H.I.S. Co., Ltd.

4 Key Points

① 'Another Shikinen Sengu' Proceeding Simultaneously with Ise Jingu's Grand Festival

While Ise Jingu's Shikinen Sengu is a major Shinto ritual known worldwide, a parallel Shikinen Sengu is also conducted at Takihara-gu Shrine, a sub-shrine of Kotai Jingu.

Takihara-gu Shrine, with over 2000 years of history as the 'Distant Shrine of the Great God,' has long been deeply revered. This shrine, not widely known in urban areas, is the stage for 'another Shikinen Sengu' that thrives in the depths of Ise. 'Mikihiki' is a traditional event where the lumber for the newly built shrine buildings is loaded onto a hauling cart and offered to the shrine. It is not just an event, but a special time to experience the connection between people, gods, and the region. While it is now a valuable opportunity for people from outside the town to participate, **this opportunity comes only once every 20 years, and only during one specific year, on a single occasion. It is a 'once-in-a-lifetime folk ritual' whose next chance to participate is uncertain.**

② The Only Opportunity to Experience a 2000-Year-Old Folk Ritual as a Participant

Mikihiki was once an event passed down as service by the residents of the divine land. However, in present-day Tatsuki Town, due to depopulation, declining birthrate, and aging population, **the shortage of participants is a serious regional issue.** This time,

kiond, VISON Hotel Management, and the Tatsuki Town Tourism Association have collaborated to create a problem-solving participatory experience tour – a new initiative that **welcomes general participants as 'Special Divine Land Residents' to jointly carry out the folk ritual itself.**

③ Lecture on Wood and Culture by a '20 Years Ago Executive Committee Member'

The day before the folk ritual, a 'Dedication Ceremony Assembly' will be held at 'kiond,' an experiential facility within VISON.

- Lecture by Shinichi Deguchi of the Takihara Grand Festival Executive Committee - Commemorative chopstick making using Japanese cypress, the same type of wood as the sacred tree (1 pair per person) - Distribution of ceremonial attire (Happi coat, headscarf, towel, wooden tag) - Orientation for the next day's folk ritual

'Why 20 years?' 'Why is this wood used?' — This tour's characteristic is that you can learn about the meaning and cultural background of Japan before participating in the folk ritual. Experiencing it 'after learning' over two days deepens understanding and emotion towards Mikihiki.

Participants will receive the Shikinen Sengu ceremonial attire.

Original chopsticks made from Japanese cypress, the same as the sacred tree, created at kiond.

④ A New Form of Travel Created by Resorts × Region

VISON, Japan's largest complex commercial resort located in Taki Town, Mie Prefecture, boasts approximately 70 stores, hot spring facilities, and accommodation facilities, and has welcomed many visitors from a wide area since its opening in 2021. On the other hand, the neighboring Tatsuki Town is experiencing depopulation and an aging population, leading to a reality where participants for Mikihiki, an event with over 2000 years of history, are in short supply.

'We felt we could do something' — With this sentiment, kiond, VISON Hotel Management, and the Tatsuki Town Tourism Association naturally came together and initiated this project. Through trial and error, they have gradually shaped a system where 'visitors to VISON can become participants in the folk ritual of the neighboring town.'

They hope to continue fostering a form of travel where 'travel contributes to solving regional issues,' together with the local community.

Tour Overview

Tour Name: 63rd Grand Festival of Ise Jingu Shrine, Takihara-gu Shrine Mikihiki Special Offering Tour Dates: April 11, 2026 (Saturday) Departure (1 night, 2 days) (Event on April 12) Accommodation: Hatago VISON Itinerary: <1st Day> ① Depart Nagoya Station (9:15 meeting, 9:30 departure) ② Upon arrival at VISON, free lunch and stroll ③ Lecture and chopstick making experience at kiond ④ Dinner and herbal bath etc. at Nouniers ⑤ Overnight stay at Hatago VISON

<2nd Day> ① Breakfast at VISON ② Depart for Takihara-gu Shrine venue ③ Mikihiki experience ④ Free visit to Takihara-gu Shrine ⑥ Arrive at Nagoya Station (around 18:30)

Travel Cost: 45,800 JPY per person (3 meals included) * Includes souvenir Happi coat, obi, and towel. Organizer: H.I.S. Co., Ltd. Partners: kiond (Karsock Co., Ltd.) VISON Hotel Management Co., Ltd. General Incorporated Association Tatsuki Town Tourism Association Details: https://kiond.com/20260411

Comments from Organizers and Related Parties

Masaki Yoshida, Chairman of the Shikinen Sengu Mikihiki Executive Committee 'Takihara-gu Shrine is a venerable shrine that enshrines the soul of Amaterasu Omikami as a sub-shrine of Ise Jingu (Naiku). It is said that when Princess Yamatohime-no-mikoto was on her pilgrimage seeking a place for Amaterasu Omikami to reside, she designated this land, enveloped by the clear currents of the Miyagawa River and deep ancient trees, as a sacred place, and it has attracted devout worship since ancient times.

At Ise Jingu, every twenty years, the shrine buildings are newly reconstructed, and ceremonial garments and treasures are renewed for the Great Deity to move to the new shrine – this is the Shikinen Sengu ceremony. The Mikihiki event is an important service passed down from ancient times, where people haul the sacred lumber used for the shrine construction.

Today, your act of hauling the sacred lumber in unison as 'Special Divine Land Residents' is a noble service that connects the eternal history and traditions of the shrine to the future. I sincerely pray that this service will be a precious and memorable connection for all of you.'

Miyuki Yamazaki, General Incorporated Association Tatsuki Town Tourism Association 'This time, the Tatsuki Town Tourism Association has planned a special tour that allows participation in the 'Mikihiki' event of the '63rd Grand Festival of Ise Jingu Shrine, Takihara-gu Shrine.' This tour offers a precious experience to participate as a 'Special Divine Land Resident' in the 'Mikihiki' event, a related ceremony of the Shikinen Sengu, held once every 20 years at Takihara-gu Shrine, a sub-shrine of Kotai Jingu, nestled in rich nature and tranquility.

Takihara-gu Shrine, located deep in Ise, surrounded by abundant nature and tranquility, has long been a place of worship for people as the 'Distant Shrine of the Great God.' The Mikihiki held at Takihara-gu Shrine is an important event signaling the start of the 63rd Grand Festival of Ise Jingu Shrine, and it is a proud folk ritual that the local people have carefully passed down. The opportunity to participate as a 'Special Divine Land Resident' in this event, which is originally supported by local people, is extremely valuable.

This tour offers not just observation, but a special experience of involving yourself in this tradition as a member of the local community. We hope you will spend an irreplaceable time here, experiencing the history, culture of Takihara-gu Shrine, and the thoughts of the people of Tatsuki Town, during this once-in-20-years occasion.

Masumi Okuno, VISON Hotel Management Co., Ltd. 'We are deeply honored to be involved as an accommodation facility in this tour, which is linked to the precious 'Mikihiki' event of the Grand Festival of Ise Jingu Shrine, held at Takihara-gu Shrine in Tatsuki Town, Mie Prefecture.

Mikihiki is a special event lasting only one day, and we believe it is important for all participants to approach it with their minds and bodies prepared. At VISON Hotel Management, we offer stays that allow guests to relax in a quiet environment surrounded by nature, while harmonizing their body and mind. We hope that your time at our facilities will be a precious preparation period for the Mikihiki.

Furthermore, we believe this project is not merely about accommodation or tourism, but also contributes to passing down the cultural value of the Shikinen Sengu, which Mie Prefecture prides itself on, to the next generation. We find great significance and joy in utilizing our hotel as a venue to convey the unique value of this region while collaborating with local residents and related businesses. Additionally, we aim to contribute to job creation and talent circulation in the region through such initiatives.

Going forward, VISON Hotel Management will continue to promote the charm of Japan's traditional culture while walking hand-in-hand with the region.'

Yumi Kaminagano, kiond (Karsock Co., Ltd.) 'This time, we have planned a special tour that allows participation in the 'Mikihiki,' a precious related event of the Grand Festival of Ise Jingu Shrine, held once every 20 years at Takihara-gu Shrine, located in Tatsuki Town, Mie Prefecture.

Mikihiki is a very rare folk ritual, lasting only one day, where participants haul the sacred lumber.

The opportunity to experience its history and weight firsthand is extremely limited, and this event has been realized through the understanding and cooperation of many local residents and stakeholders.

This tour focuses not just on observation, but on learning about the spirituality and traditions behind the Shikinen Sengu, and the meaning imbued in the sacred lumber, and experiencing them firsthand. We believe that through such participatory experiences, participants can gain a deeper appreciation for the value of the culture that Japan has passed down for generations.

Furthermore, from the perspective of kiond, an educational facility focused on 'the connection between wood and people,' we have imbued this project with the desire to connect the cycle of nature and culture to the next generation through experiences of touching, learning about, and utilizing wood.

We hope this tour will serve as an opportunity to experience the charm of the region and Japan's traditional culture, and contribute to its inheritance for the future.'

About kiond (Kiond) Facility Name: Wood and Forest Experience Facility kiond Location: 672-1 VISON, Taki Town, Taki District, Mie Prefecture 519-2170 Wood Education

Located within 'VISON,' kiond is an experience and sensory facility themed around wood and forests. It offers a place for all generations to foster rich hearts and sensitivities, including wood workshops, forest activities, a kids' play park, a cafe, sales of wooden goods, and a food stall festival.