Traditional Rice Planting Ceremony in Kagoshima, Japan 2025 #大隅正八幡宮 #御田植祭 #斎田祭

This Kagoshima Jingu Shrine’s annual rice paddy dance ceremony, which took place on June 1, 2025. This ceremony is to produce rice offerings for the Gods and pray for a bountiful harvest.

You can see the full video at my YouTube channel.

The Miyauchi, rice paddy God of the shrine is a prefectural designated cultural property. Designated on March 29, 1964, the rice field statue is said to be an unique deity of southern Kyushu, which can only be seen within the territory of the former Satsuma domain. This is the god who brings a rich harvest of rice, wheat, and other crops.

It is believed that the rice field gods descend from the mountains to the villages when Spring farming begins, and return to the mountains once the Autumn harvest is complete. Before the rice-planting festival at the shrine, an altar is built, a rice field dance is performed, and seedings are planted in the rice fields.

Unlike ordinary rice field god statues that are simple in design, this rice field God statue has movement throughout and is made to look as if it is about to perform the rice field god dance.

Please enjoy watching a unique Japanese cultural dance and the planting of seeds along with folk songs! I also hope you enjoy my piece of art inspired by this tour of Japan!

#鹿児島 #travelvlog #japaneseculture #explorejapan

Equipment Used:
Sony FX3
Sony A7IV
Sigma 24-70
Tamron 70-180

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Music – Original Kagoshima Shrine Music