Tado Taisha

Map

History & Origins

An ancient shrine said to have been founded during the reign of the 21st emperor, Emperor Yuryaku, it has a deep relationship with Ise Jingu. A saying has long circulated, 'If you go to Ise, also visit Tado; if you do not visit Tado, your pilgrimage is only half done,' and it became customary to worship here in combination with a pilgrimage to Ise.

Highlights

The 'Agouma Shinji' (horse-climbing ritual) of the Tado Festival, held on May 4 and 5 each year, is famous, a powerful ritual in which horses race up a steep slope. There is a custom of divining the harvest of crops from the result of this ritual, and it is a traditional event rooted in the local community.

Visitor Guide

It is about a 20-minute walk from Tado Station on the Yoro Railway, or about 30 minutes by bus from Kuwana Station on the Kintetsu line. By car, it is about 15 minutes from the Kuwana-Higashi Interchange on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway. A parking lot is available in the grounds.

Best Season

The period of the Tado Festival and Agouma Shinji in May is especially lively. The grounds are also beautifully colored in the autumn foliage season.

Blessings

Annual Events

• May

  Tado Matsuri and Ageuma Shinji (Tado Festival and Horse-Climbing Rite)

  The most important annual festival, held on May 4 and 5. In the spirited Ageuma Shinji, horses race up a steep slope, and the outcome is used to forecast the harvest.

• November

  Yabusame Matsuri (Horseback Archery Festival)

  A rite of yabusame, shooting at targets from horseback, held on November 23. It has been handed down since ancient times as a martial arts dedication.

• August

  Chochin Matsuri (Lantern Festival)

  A summer festival held on August 11 and 12. Lanterns decorate the grounds, and rites are performed in a dreamlike atmosphere.

Travel Plan

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