One-day trip: Traditional Japanese lion dance experience and waterfall training.[相模里神楽垣澤社中獅子舞＆日帰り滝修行体験！]

日本語版イベントページはこちら⇒相模里神楽垣澤社中獅子舞＆日帰り滝修行体験！[One-day trip: Traditional Japanese lion dance experience and waterfall training.]

Let’s enjoy viewing a traditional Japanesedance, try on a Lion Dance mask experience, and waterfalltraining in the mountain of Nanasawa, Atsugi-city.

On Sunday, August 24, 2025, in the mountainous area of Atsugi city,we will have a day trip in which you can experience as below:
・Takishugyo,the traditional discipline of standing under a waterfall.
You might feel that Takishugyo is tough but we will support you to feel safe and take on the challenge even if it’s your first time! The positive idea under lying the discipline is that we can start over again and again, as many times as we like in life.

・Viewing of Shishimai performance, traditional Japanese lion dance, with Sagami-Satokagura.
・Wearing a lion mask which is used in the performance and taking photos.
Shishimai is one of the kagura performances. Kagura is a traditional and ancient Japanese performing art,expressing the wish for people to live each day in good health and peace. In this experience, after watching the shishimai performance, participants will try on a Shishigashira(lion mask) and have a chance to take photos!

We sometimes feel stress in our daily lives. Through this experience, you will refresh not only your mind but also your body!!

Time and Date

On Sunday, August 24, 2025, 8:00～14:30
* In case of stormy weather or rising water, the waterfall training will be changed to a gomagyo experience.
* Reception opens at 7:45 am.
*Goma-gyo is a fire ritual in Buddhism.

Meeting place

Atsugi Central Park
3-2, Kotobukicho, Atsugicity, Kanagawa

The message from Sagami Satokagura Kakizawa company

Sagami Satokagura is a kind of Kagura which is performed in the Sagami( the old name of Kanagawa prefecture) area and designated as an intangible folk culture asset by Atsugi city in 1971.
We, Kakizawa company, are a group that performs Sagami Satokagura, based in Atsugi city, Kanagawa.
It is established in 1912 and has continued for more than 110 years based on hereditary succession by the Kakizawa family ( the head is called Iemoto).
Nowadays few Kagura groups have this Iemoto hereditary succession system.

Kakizawa company’s Sagami style Kagura has been passed on to the present day. The feature of this style,nurtured by Atsugi’s rich nature with mountains and rivers, is making Japanese myths into plays and performing them generously and dynamically.

Today our field and content of activities has been spread and varied by our members centering around the third family head ( Iemoto) and his daughter(the next Iemoto) with their disciples.

We hold independent performances proactively in addition to the performances at shrine festivals. Furthermore we keep sharing the new attractions of Kagura through the performances at schools and overseas stages!!

垣澤社中1 　垣澤社中2 　垣澤社中3

Shishimai

The lion is believed to be a god warding off evil spirits that came from the continent.
The spiritual power of the lion is said to bring happiness. That is why the lion is called Kotobuki-shishi(celebration lion), and it is performed at auspicious occasions to celebrate a peaceful life and to bless people.
It is said that when Kotobuki-shishi bites people, the god attaches to the them because the Japanese word for 'bite'('kamitsuku') also means 'tobless', which implies divine blessing. It is considered very fortunate and cleanses the body of any badluck that may be attached.
During the experience, the shishi will bite you on the head, so please put your head down and let the lion “bite” you to get rid of your bad luck.

shishimai

Nanasawa kannon-ji temple

Kannonji temple is one of the oldest extant temple dedicated to Bato Kannon Bosatsu( the horse-headed Kannon) and Fuji-Sengen Daibosatsu.
In folklore, Uesugi Sadamasa, the lord of the Nanasawa castle, hold a memorial services for his favorite horse Tsukikage in the 15 century, Muromachi period.
Fuji-Sengen Daibosatsu, known as the Great Buddha of Nanasawa, is enshrined in Seishi-do Hall next to main Hall. The statue of Buddha was made by a holy priest in the 17 century , early Edo period. It is believed to have a special power for bringing people together.
In the temple ground, there are a lot of animals like chickens, tortoises and geese. They were sheltered by the chief priest and now heal many worshipers together with a well-known parrot called Hinata-chan which is a mascot of Nanasawa Kannon-ji temple.You can find a variety of original items of this temple, for example, a good luck charm and a bird motif Goshuin( a red ink stamp which is proof of your visit to the temple).

観音寺1 　観音寺2 　観音寺3

The message from the chief priest of Nanasawa Kannon-ji temple

We hope you to experience the traditional Japanese culture and feel the Japanese spirituality through Takishugyo (waterfall training). Takishugyo cleanses the dirt of your mind that has been accumulated from frustration in our daily lives.
While doing Takishugyo, you will chant a mantra in order to keep yourself calm and become one with the spirit of deities and Buddha that exist in nature. In Japan, it is considered that spirits dwell in every phenomenon of nature.
Through the experience of feeling your “original holy self”, you will be able to change your actions and mind. The state of purified body and mind is called Rokkon-Syoujo in Buddhist terms. Please gain and try to maintain this state. And when you want to be purified or you feel less energetic, we hope you come back to Atsugi again to do Japanese Takishugyo!!

林住職

Lunch and Hot Spring Bathing

Motoyu Tamagawakan
2776, nanasawa, Atsugicity.

tamagawakan

Access

Public transport

【Guests from the Tokyo area】
From Shinjuku Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line, take the rapid express train(approx. 50 mins).
Get off the train at Hon-Atsugi station and walk approx. 7 min from the North Exit of the station(600m).

【Guests from the Yokohama area】
From Yokohama Station on the Sotetsu Line, take the rapid express train(approx. 35 mins).
Transfer to Odakyu Odawara Line at Ebina Station and get off the train at Hon-Atsugi station.
Walk approx. 7 min from North Exit of the station(600m).

if you arrive by public transport, the tour guide will take you to the meeting point, Atsugi Central Park, so please gather at the north exit of Hon-Atsugi Station at 7:30 am.

Private car

From Tomei Atsugi interchange(appox. 10 mins (3km)).
*Please park your car in a coin-operated parking lot in the area, as you will be transported by bus to the experience venue.
*Parking fee for private cars is not included in the participation fee and must be paid separately by yourself.

Capacity

20 people(Children in junior high school and above）

Participation fee

15,000 yen (tax included)
*The fee includes the costume for waterfall training, insurance, and lunch.
*In the event of stormy weather or rising water, the participation fee will remain the same.

Things to bring

Towel, change of clothes, something to wear under the Takishugyo costume (swimming suit, rash guard, etc.), marine shoes, a copy of your application and agreement (we will send these documents in advance).
* Please wear a swimming suit, rash guard, etc. under the costume for Takishugyo as it will become see-through when it’s wet.
* Please wear marine shoes, not flip-flops, etc., as land leeches may be present. Wearing rash guard tights is also recommended.

Event Schedule

【Meeting place】Atsugi Central Park (Reception opens at 7:45 am)
【Experience 1】Explanation of sutra chanting (at 8:30 am)
【Experience 2】Takishugyo at Ogama Benzaiten waterfall (at 9:30 am)
【Experience 3】 Hot Spring Bathing(at 11:00 am)
【Lunch time】
【Experience 4】Shishimai viewing,Wearing a lion mask which is used in the performance and taking photos.(at 1:00 pm)
【Tour end place】Hon-Atsugi station area(Estimated Dismissal time at 2:30 pm)
* Participants will be transported by bus from Atsugi Central Park to each experience site.
* Before and after the experience, we will pick you up and drop you off at Hon Atsugi Station area.
* The schedule is tentative and times may change.

Event schedule in case of stormy weather or rising water

【Meeting place】Atsugi Central Park (Reception opens at 9:15 am)
【Experience 1】Gomagyo experience at nanasawa Kannonji. (at 10:00 am)
【Experience 2】 Hot Spring Bathing at Motoyu Tamagawakan.(at 11:00 am)
【Lunch time】
【Experience 3】Shishimai viewing,Shishimai Dressing up Experience and Photographing(at 1:00 pm)
【Tour end place】Hon-Atsugi station area(Estimated Dismissal time at 2:30 pm)
* Participants will be transported by bus from Atsugi Central Park to each experience site.
* Before and after the experience, we will pick you up and drop you off at Hon Atsugi Station area.
* The schedule is tentative and times may change.

How to apply

Please apply via our website by 23:59 on Monday, 4 August, 2025.

Please click the URL link for application ⇒[https://req.qubo.jp/atgknk/form/kaguratakishugyoeng]and fill in the required information. Pressing the submit button completes your application process.
* When we receive more applications than the maximum capacity, a lottery will be held. The registration number of the successful applicants will be posted on our website around Tuesday, 5 August, 2025. The invitation will be sent out on the same day.
*The registration number can be found in the confirmation email that is automatically sent after the application has been completed. If you do not receive the email after a while, please contact the Atsugi Tourist Association.

Caution

* Please refrain from participating children under junior high schools age and pregnant women for their safety.
* Please make sure to wear a swimming suite, rash guard, etc. under the costume for Takishugyo as it will become see-through when it wet.
* In advance, please fill in the application and agreement form for Takishugyo, which will be sent with invitation to participants.
* Please note that this plan is a combination of all experiences and each experience cannot be participated in independently.