Hoshikudari Festival at Nakayamadera

About

Nakayamadera temple in Takarazuka holds its one big festival day of the year every August 9. The star of the night is the bonten, a two-meter green bamboo staff hung with paper offerings. From 20:30, while the Great Wisdom Sutra is chanted in the main hall, groups from the five sub-temples along the approach climb up in procession to receive the bonten, then charge back down the slope waving them over the crowd. The staffs are believed to carry Kannon's blessing, and that wild descent is the highlight of the evening. Earlier, at the 17:00 service, children in happi coats carry a portable shrine around the main hall, and food stalls fill the grounds once darkness falls. Tradition says all 33 Kannon of the Saigoku pilgrimage gather here on this day, arriving like falling stars, which gives the festival its name, Hoshikudari ("descending stars"). A single visit is said to earn the same merit as walking the entire route, and the day is also called Shimanrokusennichi Kudokubi. A special goshuin stamp and entry to the inner sanctuary are offered on this day only. The approach is closed to traffic from around 20:00, so head to the main hall early if you want to see the bonten.

Sources

• OfficialNakayamadera Temple www.nakayamadera.or.jp
• OfficialNakayamadera Temple www.nakayamadera.or.jp

Last checked: Oct 10, 2026. Event information is based on official announcements, but changes may not always be reflected here. Please check each official website for accurate details.

Other events this month

• Dekansho Festival
• Atago Matsuri