Parishioners pounding mochi
Yonezawa’s Horowa-do Year-End Festival, with songs of mochi pounding
On December 4, 2026, the Horowa-do Year-End Festival will be held at Horowa-do at Sengenji Temple in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture. From before dawn, young parishioners pound mochi so high it reaches the ceiling, keeping time with mochi-pounding songs. Visitors are served mochi dishes at this festival celebrating the tradition of mochi pounding.
- Venue
- Horowa-do at Sengenji Temple
- Admission & participation
- Please check official announcements for admission requirements.
HIGHLIGHTS
Event highlights
Songs of mochi pounding and wishes in the ceiling soot
The festival’s main event is the “naked mochi pounding,” held early in the morning. From before dawn, young parishioners pound mochi bare-chested, singing mochi-pounding songs as they send it high enough to reach the ceiling. The combination of song, movement and the act of pounding the mochi high is a highlight of the festival.
According to local tradition, the more soot from the ceiling that sticks to the mochi, the greater its blessings. The act of pounding the mochi high is infused with the wishes passed down through the festival.
Visitors are served a variety of mochi dishes. Along with watching the mochi pounding, visitors can enjoy tasting mochi—the festival’s central feature—as a dish. The available information does not specify the dishes or serving times, so if you are planning a meal around your visit, it is a good idea to check local information as well.
A festival that began in gratitude for the end of crop pests
The festival is said to date back to an incident in 1641, when crop pests broke out in the Kubota area. After sand from beneath Horowa-do, regarded as a deity of agriculture, was scattered and the pests disappeared, villagers are said to have pounded mochi from their harvested rice and offered it at the hall in gratitude.
The tradition that the festival began with mochi made from the harvested rice and offered at the hall helps explain the importance of mochi in the event. Gratitude for the end of crop damage, offerings to the hall and the belief that mochi marked with ceiling soot brings blessings all help shape the festival, alongside the song-accompanied pounding and mochi served to visitors.
The festival is held every year on December 4, including in 2026. The available information says it takes place from early morning or before dawn, but does not give an exact start time or the order or serving times for the mochi pounding and refreshments. If you need to decide when to arrive, contact Horowa-do at Sengenji Temple in advance at 0238-37-3708 to help plan your visit.
EVENT INFORMATION
Dates & participation
Official title保呂羽堂の年越し祭
| Dates | 2026-12-04 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Horowa-do at Sengenji Temple |
| Admission and participation | See official information |
| Address |
Hours, admission rules, and ticket availability are subject to change. Please check the official website before heading out.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE & TICKETS
Official website & tickets
Official event websiteyamagatakanko.comACCESS
How to get there
Step-by-step guide
What to check before your visit
- 01
Decide on a date and time to visit
The 2026 festival takes place on December 4. It is held early in the morning, but no exact start time is given, so check with Horowa-do at Sengenji Temple before deciding when to visit.
- 02
Learn about the festival’s origins
The festival is said to have begun in 1641, when mochi made from the harvested rice was offered at Horowa-do in gratitude for the end of crop pests.
- 03
Check what will be served
Mochi dishes are served to visitors. The types of dishes and serving times are not specified, so check the information provided on the day if needed.
Detailed access info
For the venue’s exact location and directions, see the official event information.
Horowa-do at Sengenji Temple
Google Maps search result for the venue name. Please also check official sources for the address, specific hall/room, and entrance location.