- 1 min read

Hanamaki Souminsai 2025

A Shinto purification festival to bring in the new year

Venue
Koshio Shrine
When
Thursday - Jan 2nd 2025

The Hanamaki Souminsai is held every year on January 2nd at the Koshio shrine on Mount Koshio.

It's a purification festival for the new year, it starts by making mochi (rice cake) and getting blessings from the local Shinto priest. After that, the participants walk up the mountain holding a torch and a blessing in their mouth to give them more determination.

Hanamaki Souminsai in video

The event finishes with the participants fighting over a pouch, a good luck bag. The fight can last over an hour and is extremely fierce, many participants end up badly bruised up. The winner is said to have a prosperous year.

Getting there

Koshio Shrine is located just a few minutes from Shin-Hanamaki Station. Also accessible by the Kamaishi line from Hanamaki Station.

43
12
Was this article helpful?
Help us improve the site
Give Feedback

Join the discussion

Kim 4 years ago
Elena Lisina 4 years ago
Brave men!!! WOW! Traditions in Japan are amazing!
Elena Lisina 4 years ago
Great! I prefer warm time of a year for travelling as I live in a cold place. We have snow and temperatures below zero half a year! Some people dive in ice holes on the holiday of Christening even if it's -20C! :)
Tyra 'nell Pille-Lu 8 years ago
Wow! Don't they feel cold at all?
Victoria Vlisides 8 years ago
Wow!!!! This would be amazing to watch in person!!
Malcome Larcens Author 8 years ago
I was fully dressed and felt cold. This year wasn't cold compared to other years that I've watched it. This year there was a participant from France, he looked over 60 years old, he came specifically for that. I can't imagine taking part in it myself.

Thank you for your support!

Your feedback has been sent.