[28 July 2023]

It is said that this ritual was first dedicated to the deity in 1803, on the occasion of the rebuilding of Misaki Shrine. It was created jointly by the headman of Uya district (now called Higashimachi) and exiles who lived on the island. The name of the ritual, "Danjiri-mai", comes from the fact that it is performed (in Japanese, mai means a traditional type of dance) to the accompaniment of music played on top of the danjiri (wooden float). The dance is performed by the people who at the time of the "dance" are carrying the wooden float with small children sitting on top of it beating the Japanese traditional drums.

Today, once every three years, on July 28th, the mikoshi (portable shrine carrying the deity) and danjiri parade from Misaki Shrine through the streets of Higashimachi, with the ritual dance performed five times in locations throughout the Higashimachi area.

* Please note that there are two Misaki Shrines near the Saigō port area. Make sure you go to the correct one, in the "Uya-no-kami" district.
*Please respect local culture and tradition.
*Watch from a safe distance and do not go close to the parade troupe carrying the danjiri. The streets in the area are very narrow.