Practice Japanese sentences out loud to make sure you remember them!
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2025年11月29日。
November 29, 2025.
今日は、全国の神様が一斉に出雲へ集まる――その瞬間のメッセージをお伝えします。
Today, we bring you the message of the moment when gods from all over Japan gather in Izumo.
波打ち際に、無数の松明が並び、神様をお迎えする行列が海辺をゆっくりと進む。
Countless torches line the shore, and a procession welcoming the gods slowly moves along the coast.
いきなりですが皆さん、このような光景が想像できますか？
This may seem sudden, but can you imagine a scene like this?
ここ、島根県出雲市・稲佐の浜では、まさにその神秘的な夜「神迎祭」が行われます。
It is here, at Inasa Beach in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, that mystical night, the Kamimukae Festival, is held.
この日、全国の神々が出雲へ集うとされ、日本中で「神様が不在になる日」とも呼ばれています。
It is said that on this day, gods from all over Japan gather in Izumo, and it is also known throughout Japan as “the day when the gods are absent.”
だからこそ「神様が今どこにおられるのか？」その答えは、まさにこの浜辺にあるのです。
That is why the answer to the question, “Where are the gods now?” lies right on this beach.
稲佐の浜では、夕暮れとともに空気が変わります。
At Inasa Beach, the air changes as dusk falls.
潮の香り、波の音、松明の灯り。
The smell of the sea, the sound of the waves, the light of torches.
そこに人々の祈りが重なる瞬間、まるで時間が止まるような感覚に包まれます。
When these are all combined with the prayers of the people, you are enveloped in an experience that seems as if time stands still.
ただ見に行くだけではなく、感じることが大切です。
It’s important not just to go and see, but to feel it.
神話の世界と現実がつながる、日本で最も静かで、最も神秘的な夜が始まります。
Japan’s quietest, most mysterious night begins, where the world of myth and reality connect.
伝えたいメッセージは一つ。
We have one message to convey:
「この夜だけは、足元ではなく、空を見上げて下さい。」
“For just this night, look up at the sky instead of down at your feet.”
もしかしたら、神様があなたの肩をすっと通り過ぎるかもしれません。
Who knows, the god might just pass by your shoulder.
さて、神様をお迎えしたあとは・・・。
After welcoming the gods…
私達は朝を迎えます。
We then welcome the morning.
朝食はぜひ、温かい味噌汁を。
For breakfast, be sure to have some warm miso soup.
神様にお会いできた翌朝の味噌汁は、いつもよりちょっと神々しい味がするかもしれません。
The miso soup the morning after you’ve met the gods may taste a little more divine than usual.
⛩️Izumo Taisha’s “Welcoming of the Gods Festival” (Kamimukae-sai) and “Presence of the Gods Festival” (Kamiari-sai)
1. About the “Month of the Gods” (Kamiari-zuki)
- The Month of No Gods (Kanna-zuki): The 10th month of the old lunar calendar is generally called Kanna-zuki because it’s believed that the gods are “absent” from most of the country.
- The Month of the Gods (Kamiari-zuki): However, in Izumo, this same month is called Kamiari-zuki because it’s when the Yaoyorozu-no-Kamigami (the eight million gods) from all over Japan gather here. They assemble to hold a divine council (Kami-hakari) to discuss matters for the coming year, such as matchmaking (forming bonds) and the harvest.
2. Overview of the “Welcoming of the Gods Festival” (Kamimukae-sai)
- Date: The Izumo Taisha Kamimukae-sai in 2025 will be held on Saturday, November 29th, starting at 7:00 PM (the 10th day of the 10th lunar month).
- Location and Ceremony Flow:
- Inasa-no-Hama Beach: The ceremony to welcome the arriving gods from across the nation, called Kamimukae Shinji, is held first on this beach, which is also the setting for the myth of the Transfer of the Land.
- The Welcoming Procession: After the ceremony, a silk enclosure (kinugaki) holding the Himorogi (divine object where the spirits reside) leads a slow procession toward Izumo Taisha. This procession is headed by the Ryūja-shin (Dragon Serpent God), who acts as the gods’ guide, accompanied by torches (taimatsu) and tall, decorative lanterns.
- Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine: Upon arrival at the shrine, the Kamimukae-sai is conducted in the main worship hall (Haiden). Afterward, the gods take their temporary lodging (Goyadosho) in the Jūkyū-sha (Nineteen Shrines) located on the east and west sides of the shrine grounds.
3. Kamiari-sai and Other Rituals
During the period when the gods stay in Izumo (from the 11th to the 17th day of the 10th lunar month), various important festivals are held.
| Festival Name | 2025 Izumo Taisha Dates | Content |
| Kamiari-sai (Festival of the Gods’ Presence) | Sunday, Nov 30th at 9:00 AM; Thursday, Dec 4th & Saturday, Dec 6th at 10:00 AM | The main, important festival held during the period of the gods’ divine council (Kami-hakari). |
| En-musubi Taisai (Grand Matchmaking Festival) | Monday, Dec 1st; Thursday, Dec 4th; Saturday, Dec 6th (all at 10:00 AM) | Held in conjunction with the divine council; prayers are offered for forming good bonds and finding suitable relationships (good fortune in relationships). |
| Karasade-sai (Seeing-Off of the Gods Festival) | Saturday, Dec 6th at 4:00 PM | This festival bids farewell to the gods as they conclude their council in Izumo and return to their respective regions across the country. The gods depart Izumo upon the high-pitched shout of “O-tachi~!” (The Gods Depart!) from the Shinto priests. |
4. Important Notes for Attending/Viewing the Ceremonies
- Inasa-no-Hama Beach: During the shinji (sacred ritual), straw mats (Komo) are laid out to serve as the path for the gods. It is essential to avoid walking on these mats.
- Photography: Flash photography is prohibited during the ceremonies as it interferes with the sacred rituals.
- Sacred Procession Route: In recent years, the route for the sacred procession (Goshinkō-ro) from Inasa-no-Hama to Izumo Taisha has been changed for safety reasons. (The procession will not pass through the traditional Kamimukae-no-Michi road).
