第５３回キリスト祭 (Kirisuto Sai)
Every June Shingo Village holds the "Christ Festival," an odd event ostensibly held in honour of Jesus Christ but featuring Shinto rituals.
Time: 10:00-11:30
Location: Grave of Christ キリストの里公園 (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:
- 慰霊祭 Spirit Consoling Service
- 神事 Divine Service
- 玉串奉奠 Offering a Sprig of the Sacred Sakaki Tree in Front of a Shrine Altar
- 奉納舞 (田中獅子舞) Dedicatory Dance (Tanaka Lion Dance)
- 第20回短歌ポスト入選歌表彰式 Tanka Poem Contest Award Ceremony
- ナニャドヤラ奉納 Nanyadoyara Dance Offering
According to local legend, Jesus Christ studied religion in Japan for twelve years from the ages of 21-33 before returning to Jerusalem to preach the gospel. When he was sentenced to death on the cross, his Japanese younger brother Isukiri took his place instead. Jesus returned to Shingo Village where he married a Japanese woman, had three children and lived until the ripe old age of 106. The grave of Christ was said to have been discovered by in 1935 by Kiyomaro Takenouchi who had been hired by the town mayor to investigate the local legend.
(Source: Japan Times)
Grave of Christ キリストの墓
Nozuki-33-1 Herai(青森県三戸郡新郷村戸来字野月３３－１)
Shingō Village, Sannohe District, Aomori Prefecture 039-1801
More Information: Japan Times "Behold! Christ's grave in Shingo, Aomori Prefecture: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/12/25/travel/behold-christs-grave-in-shingo-aomori-prefecture/
What is the best way to get here from Aomori? Is there a way to book a tour bus?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the best way to get to Shingo Village from Aomori City is by car.
DeleteBut if your only option is public transit, you can go to Hachinohe Station (Tohoku Shinkansen from Shin-Aomori Station (1840yen one-way) or Aoimori Railway (2060yen, one-day pass).
From Hachinohe Station 八戸駅, you would need to take the Nanbu Bus, Gonohe-Hachinohe Line 南部バス 五戸～八戸線 to Gonohe Station 五戸駅 (approx. 500yen?)
From Gonohe Station, you would take another Nanbu Bus, Kinsawa Line 南部バス金ヶ沢線 to Kinsawa 金ヶ沢 (approx. 500yen?).
(Nanbu Bus Website (Japanese): http://www.nanbubus.co.jp/index.html)
And from Kinsawa you would take a local bus, Mizubashou-go みずばしょう号 to Christ's Park キリスト公園前 (free?), or you can walk (3km, about 30min).
(Japanese Schedule from 2015: http://www.vill.shingo.aomori.jp/06public/rosen_bus/H27jikoku.pdf)