Kamiarizuki 2026 at Izumo Taisha: Dates & How to Attend

Across most of Japan, the tenth month of the traditional lunar calendar is called Kannazuki, the "month without gods." The idea is that the deities all leave their home shrines and travel to Izumo. In Izumo itself, then, the same month gets the opposite name: Kamiarizuki, the "month with gods."

At Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine) in Shimane Prefecture, a series of rituals called the Kamiarisai welcomes and hosts those visiting gods. In 2026 the main rites run from November 18 to 25, from the Kamimukae-shinji that greets the gods on the shore to the Enmusubi Taisai, the great rite for good relationships. Below are the official 2026 dates and what you actually need to sort out before you go.

If you are planning a late-autumn trip around it, our guide to what to wear in Japan in autumn will help you pack for a cold Shimane evening.

Izumo Taisha has its own way of praying: two bows, four claps, one bow — not the two claps you use at most Japanese shrines.

The 2026 Kamiarisai dates

The dates move every year with the lunar calendar, so last year's are no help. Izumo Taisha has published the 2026 schedule, and the main rites are below.

The gods are welcomed at the Kamimukae-shinji, spend the festival days in council, and are sent off at the Karasade-sai — the main one on November 25, with a second, closing rite on December 4. The Enmusubi Taisai — the great rite for good relationships — is held only twice, on November 23 and 25, both at 10:00 a.m.

What Kamiarizuki means

The belief traces back to Okuninushi-no-Okami, the deity enshrined at Izumo, who is said to govern the unseen ties between people and things. Once a year, gods from across Japan gather here for the Kamihakari, a divine council where they discuss those ties, including, most famously, the bonds that bring people together.

That is why so many visitors come to Izumo at this time hoping for good en (縁). The word covers far more than romance: work, friendship, any connection that matters.

The Kamimukae-shinji at Inasa Beach

The rites do not start at the shrine itself. They begin about one kilometer to the west, at Inasa Beach (Inasa-no-hama). On the evening of November 18, a sacred fire is lit and the gods are welcomed on the sand, then led in procession to Izumo Taisha.

You can watch this beach rite without applying in advance or buying a ticket; it is open to anyone. It lasts only about 20 to 30 minutes, but you will be standing on a dark, open shore in November, when Izumo is genuinely cold. Dress warmly, and hold off on flash photography once the rite begins.

Attending the Enmusubi Taisai

To take part in the Enmusubi Taisai, you have to apply in advance — you cannot simply turn up on the day. As of early September 2026, Izumo Taisha has not yet announced when applications will open, how much the required offering will be, or how many places will be available.

That notice usually appears about a month ahead. If you want to attend, check the shrine's official website or call the shrine office (+81 853-53-3100) for the latest, and plan around either November 23 or 25. We will update this article once the 2026 details are out. You do not have to attend the Enmusubi Taisai to visit, though. You can still visit the shrine and pray throughout Kamiarizuki.

Visiting Izumo Taisha: hours and etiquette

The main hall is open for worship from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Amulets, charms, and goshuin (shrine stamps) are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with temporary windows early in the morning and in the evening.

The customary way to pray here is "two bows, four claps, one bow." You bow twice, clap four times, then bow once more — two more claps than the usual style, and you use the same form at the other halls on the grounds.

Getting there and planning your visit

From JR Izumo-shi Station, take an Ichibata bus to Izumo Taisha; the ride takes about 25 minutes. Coming from Izumo Enmusubi Airport, take the airport shuttle to JR Izumo-shi Station (also about 25 minutes) and transfer to that Ichibata bus.

The Kamiarisai is one of the shrine's busiest times of year, especially on November 18 and on weekends. Izumo is a long way from the big cities, so it is worth staying a night in Izumo or nearby Matsue rather than racing back the same day. Rooms fill early, so book once your dates are fixed. Note as well that traffic can be restricted around Inasa Beach for the evening rite, so walking or public transport is the safer bet.