亮点
- Kamimukae-sai welcoming rite at Inasa Beach, Wed Nov 18, 19:00
- Kamiari-sai main rite at the shrine, Thu Nov 19, 9:00
- En-musubi Tairai matchmaking rites, Nov 23 and 25, 10:00
- Karasade-sai send-off rite, Wed Nov 25, 16:00
由来与背景
In the 10th lunar month, when the rest of Japan calls it 'Kannazuki' (the month without gods), Izumo calls it 'Kamiari-zuki' (the month with gods) -- tradition holds that Japan's eight million kami travel here to discuss the coming year's en-musubi (bonds and matches) before heading home.
Izumo Taisha's Kamiari-sai 2026 runs eight days, from Kamimukae-shinji and Kamimukae-sai at 19:00 on Wednesday, November 18 to Karasade-sai at 16:00 on Wednesday, November 25.
In the tenth month of the lunar calendar, when the rest of Japan calls it "Kannazuki" -- the month without gods -- Izumo alone calls it "Kamiari-zuki," the month with gods. Tradition holds that Japan's eight million kami leave their home shrines and travel to Izumo Taisha to discuss the coming year's en-musubi (bonds and matches) -- not just romance, but every kind of tie between people. In 2026 that lunar month opens around November 9: the Izumo Tourism Association places Asayama-jinja's Kamiari period, November 9-18, at the 1st to 10th days of the tenth lunar month, and Izumo Taisha's own Kamiari period, November 18-25, at the 10th to 17th.
2026 rites and times (official)
| Date | Time | Rite |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, Nov 18 | 19:00 | Kamimukae-shinji (at Inasa Beach) and Kamimukae-sai |
| Thu, Nov 19 | 9:00 | Kamiari-sai |
| Mon, Nov 23 (holiday) | 10:00 | Kenkoku-sai, Kamiari-sai, En-musubi Tairai |
| Wed, Nov 25 | 10:00 | Kamiari-sai, En-musubi Tairai |
| Wed, Nov 25 | 16:00 | Karasade-sai |
Source: Izumo Taisha, "When are Kamimukae-sai and Kamiari-sai?" (the Reiwa 8 / 2026 schedule, checked September 18, 2026) https://izumooyashiro.or.jp/archives/faq/7894 . That Kamimukae-shinji is held at Inasa Beach is per the Izumo Tourism Association (same date).
The public rites cluster around two weeks in the middle of that span. Kamimukae-sai, the welcoming ritual, takes place at Inasa Beach on November 18 at 19:00, when the gods are said to arrive by sea; Kamiari-sai, the main rite at the shrine itself, follows the next morning at 9:00. Further rites -- Kenkoku-sai and the En-musubi Tairai, the grand matchmaking festival -- are held on November 23 and 25, closing with the Karasade-sai send-off rite.
Not every ceremony is open to spectators, but Inasa Beach and the shrine's main approach are, and grounds admission is free year-round. Getting there from Izumo-shi Station takes about 25 minutes on the Ichibata Dentetsu line to Izumo-taisha-mae Station, then a 10-minute walk. The shrine office address is 195 Kizukihigashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo, Shimane 699-0701 (official access page).
Many visitors combine Izumo Taisha with a stop in nearby Matsue -- see Matsue Suitoro, the castle town's autumn lantern walk.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Ichibata Dentetsu Railway from Izumoshi Station (by JR Izumo-shi) to Izumo-taisha-mae Station (~25 min, Y550), then 10 min on foot.
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, date night, families
温馨提示
Some rites are shrine-ceremony only (not open seating) -- arrive early at Inasa Beach for Kamimukae-sai and follow shrine-staff guidance on where the public may stand.
常见问题
- What is Kamiari-sai at Izumo Taisha?
- Kamiari-sai is the festival marking Kamiari-zuki, the one month a year (Nov 9-Dec 8, 2026) when Japan's gods are said to gather at Izumo Taisha instead of staying at their home shrines -- the opposite of "Kannazuki," the godless month, as the period is known everywhere else in Japan.
- When is the Kamimukae-sai welcoming ritual in 2026?
- Kamimukae-sai takes place at Inasa Beach on November 18, 2026, at 19:00, followed by the main Kamiari-sai rite at the shrine on November 19 at 9:00.
- Is Izumo Taisha free to visit during Kamiari-sai?
- Yes, shrine grounds admission is always free. Some rites are shrine-ceremony only, but Inasa Beach and the main approach are open to the public.
- When is Kamiari-zuki in 2026?
- Kamiari-zuki is the tenth month of the lunar calendar, which in 2026 converts to November 9 - December 8. Izumo Taisha's Kamiari-sai rites fall inside it, on November 18-25 (the 10th to 17th days of that lunar month, per the Izumo Tourism Association).
- When is the En-musubi Tairai (matchmaking grand rite) in 2026?
- At 10:00 on Monday, November 23 (a national holiday) and at 10:00 on Wednesday, November 25, both alongside Kamiari-sai (Izumo Taisha official).
- When is Karasade-sai?
- At 16:00 on Wednesday, November 25, 2026. This send-off rite closes Izumo Taisha's Kamiari-sai (Izumo Taisha official).