What it is
The Hinoki lion dance comes from a farming district of Naruto in Tokushima. For more than 400 years, local dancers have performed it as a prayer for good harvests and the safety of their homes, at the festivals of their village shrines and above all at the annual festival of Ōasahiko Shrine.
Ōasahiko is the ichinomiya, the most important shrine, of the old province of Awa. On November 1, two large lions dance in its grounds, their heads snapping and swaying to the music of drums and flutes.
The festival at a glance
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Nov 1, afternoon | Lion dance: The Hinoki lions dance in the grounds of Ōasahiko Shrine at its annual festival |
Which day should you go?
Nov 1
Watch the lion dance in the shrine grounds, then explore the shrine's forest.
What to look for
The lions
Large lion masks with long cloth bodies, each worked by dancers inside.
The shrine
Ōasahiko Shrine is the ichinomiya, the highest-ranking shrine, of the old Awa province.
The prayer
The dance has been offered for more than 400 years for good harvests and safe homes.
Getting there & where to stay
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tokushima | JR Kōtoku Line to Bandō, then taxi | about 40 min |
| Osaka | Highway bus to Naruto or Tokushima | about 2 h |
On the day. Ōasahiko Shrine is about 10 minutes by taxi from JR Bandō Station.
Crowds. A small local festival.
Where to stay
Tokushima
Many hotels, about 30 minutes away.
Naruto
Near the famous whirlpools of the Naruto Strait.
When to book. Booking 2–4 weeks ahead is usually enough.
Times are typical fastest routes. Check current timetables before you travel.
Practical tips
- Combine. Ryōzen-ji, the first temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, is nearby.
Glossary
Shishimai獅子舞
A lion dance, in which dancers inside a lion costume with a large wooden head perform to drive away evil and bring good fortune.
Matsuri祭り
A Japanese festival, usually held for the kami of a local shrine. The word comes from the idea of serving and entertaining the gods.
References
- Ōasahiko Shrine, official website: festivals, https://www.ooasahikojinja.jp/maturi/
- Matsuri Stream (Nippon Matsuri Network): Hinoki no Shishimai.
Last checked 2026-10-13.