Overview
Kamo Shrine stands in Kikuma-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. Long cherished as a guardian shrine deeply rooted in the local community, it is best known for its autumn festival. Featuring the horse ritual known as Otomouma no Hashirikomi, designated as an intangible folk cultural property, along with portable-shrine processions and the Ikehara lion dance, the shrine is celebrated as the stage for one of Kikuma's most colorful seasonal rites.
Highlights
- ●The autumn festival's Otomouma horse ritual, an intangible folk cultural property
- ●A procession of portable shrines through the community
- ●The spirited Ikehara lion dance
- ●A quiet precinct cherished as Kikuma's guardian shrine
History
Kamo Shrine has long drawn faith as the tutelary shrine of Kikuma-cho. Its autumn festival highlight, Otomouma no Hashirikomi, is a valued rite handed down as an intangible folk cultural property, in which horses carrying children gallop spiritedly along the approach in a tradition carefully preserved. The festival also includes a procession of portable shrines and the Ikehara lion dance, its forms kept alive to this day by the hands of local people.
Access
The shrine sits in the village of Kikuma-cho in western Imabari City, near latitude 34.04 and longitude 132.85, reachable conveniently by rail, local bus, or car. During the festival the surrounding area grows crowded and traffic may be restricted, so check dates and transport guidance with Imabari City or Kikuma-cho official sources before visiting for worship or festival viewing.
Best season
The highlights come together during the autumn festival, when the horse ritual and lion dance can be seen at their most vivid of the year. Outside festival time, the quiet precinct offers a relaxed visit that lets you feel the community's faith. Because exact festival dates vary from year to year, it is best to confirm them via official sources before your trip.
Map
34.0357, 132.8529 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Visit Kamo Shrine in the village of Kikuma-cho
- 2Time your trip to the autumn festival to watch the Otomouma horse run
- 3Enjoy the portable-shrine procession and the Ikehara lion dance
- 4Stroll and take in Kikuma's townscape and local culture
Did you know?
💡 The autumn festival's Otomouma no Hashirikomi is recognized as an intangible folk cultural property, and a rite handed down together with horses is rare even nationwide. The way a single festival brings together several living traditions, alongside the portable shrines and the Ikehara lion dance, is a great charm of Kamo Shrine's autumn celebration.
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