Nine temples and shrines in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture are hosting the "Tsuruoka Natsumoude Goshuin Meguri," a collaborative pilgrimage event running from July 1 (Wed) to July 20 (Mon, public holiday), 2026. Note that a few participating sites will only take part through July 6 (Mon).
"Natsumoude" (夏詣) is a growing custom in Japan where people visit shrines and temples in July — the midpoint of the year — to give thanks for the past six months and to pray for peace and good health in the months ahead.
Background
In 2025, Tsuruoka's Shonai Shrine proposed the idea, and with the support of DEGAM Tsuruoka Tourism Bureau, nine local religious sites joined together for the first inaugural event. Over the six-day run, visitors came from across the region to take part in the multi-site pilgrimage, drawn by Tsuruoka's deep spiritual heritage rooted in the Dewa Sanzan mountains and the history of the castle town.
2026 Event Highlights
For 2026, the event period has been extended — from 6 days to 20 days — to give visitors more time to explore at a leisurely pace. The expanded event coincides with the "Yamagata Shonai Summer Tourism Campaign."
Each participating site will display the official "Natsumoude" banners and offer goshuin (temple/shrine seal stamps) featuring a special "Natsumoude seal." Three sites — Dewa Sanzan Shrine, Zenpo-ji Temple, and Shonai Shrine — are collaborating on a joint project called the "Tsuruoka San-Sha-Ji Inori Project" (Three Sacred Sites Prayer Project), which will issue limited-edition goshuin in a run of approximately 300 each.
The event is designed as more than just a pilgrimage — it fits naturally into a broader summer itinerary through Tsuruoka, pairing easily with the city's tourist spots, hot springs, coastal leisure, and seasonal local cuisine.
Event Details
Name: Tsuruoka Natsumoude Goshuin Meguri
Period: July 1 (Wed) to July 20 (Mon, public holiday), 2026
Some sites participate only through July 6 (Mon)
Location: 9 temples and shrines within Tsuruoka City
Participating Sites (in Japanese alphabetical order)
- Gyokusen-ji Temple (玉川寺)
- 金峯神社
- 三瀬氣比神社
- Shozen-in Temple (正善院)
- Shonai Shrine (荘内神社)
- Zenpo-ji Temple (善寳寺)
- Daitoku-ji Temple (大督寺)
- Dainichi-bo Temple (大日坊)
- Dewa Sanzan Shrine (出羽三山神社)
What's Available
- "Natsumoude" banners displayed at all sites
- Special "Natsumoude seal" goshuin available at each location
- Limited-edition goshuin from the Tsuruoka San-Sha-Ji Inori Project (Dewa Sanzan Shrine, Zenpo-ji Temple, Shonai Shrine — approximately 300 per site)
About Natsumoude
The Natsumoude tradition was proposed in 2014 by Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo and has since spread across Japan. At the midpoint of the year, visitors pray at shrines and temples to express gratitude for the days gone by and to wish for a peaceful second half of the year.
For more information, visit the official Natsumoude website: https://natsumoude.com/
For event details, visit the Tsuruoka Tourism Navigation page:
https://www.tsuruokakanko.com/spot/9715
