Mukonage and Suminuri

Overview

Mukonage and Suminuri is a Little New Year folk ritual widely known as one of Japan's more unusual festivals, held annually on January 15 (Koshogatsu, or Little New Year) at Matsunoyama Onsen in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. The event consists of two consecutive rituals: Mukonage, in which men who married into the Matsunoyama community during the previous year are hurled from a cliff onto a snowy slope, and Suminuri, in which all participants smear black ash and snow on each other's faces. Both rituals are performed to pray for marital harmony, the prosperity of the community, and good health in the new year. The festival is designated as a Tōkamachi City Intangible Folk Cultural Property (customs and manners), designated in 1991, and has been carefully preserved by local residents for over 300 years.

This festival takes place in one of Japan's heaviest snowfall regions, where winter accumulations can reach several meters. The harsh winter environment historically served to strengthen communal bonds among residents, and the festival became established as an annual event reinforcing these ties. In recent years, the number of visitors has increased significantly, with many foreign tourists coming to witness this unique tradition. The venue is Yakushido Hall on the main street of Matsunoyama Onsen in the Yumoto district of Tokamachi City. On January 15, 2026, three couples participated in the festival, with the grooms being thrown from a height of approximately five meters onto the snowy slope below.

History and Origins

The Mukonage ritual is said to have originated approximately 300 years ago during the mid-Edo period. According to one tradition, it began as a form of good-natured retribution against grooms who had taken brides away from the local community. This act of vengeance allegedly involved local men throwing the outsider groom onto the snow as payback for marrying a village woman. Over time, what began as an expression of spite evolved into a rite of passage and a ritual of welcome for new members of the community.

The original location of the Mukonage ritual was the Tenmizugoe district of Matsunoyama, where it was traditionally held on the morning of January 17, coinciding with the festival of Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy). However, after World War II, the decline of the farming population due to seasonal labor migration caused a shortage of participants, and the ritual was temporarily discontinued. The Yumoto district, where the hot spring resort is located, subsequently took over the tradition and revived it in its current form. After this revival, the ritual also took on the character of a coming-of-age ceremony for young men settling in the community.

The Suminuri ritual has an even older origin than Mukonage, with one theory tracing it back approximately 600 years. It is believed to have derived from the Sai no Kami (Dondoyaki) festival, a Shinto bonfire ritual held to burn New Year's decorations and pray for good health. The practice of smearing ash on the face became established in the Matsunoyama hot spring area partly because the ash could be easily washed off in the hot springs. The combination of the revived Mukonage from Tenmizugoe and the indigenous Suminuri from Yumoto formed the current two-part festival.

The festival date has been fixed on January 15, and even when this day was changed from a national holiday to a regular weekday in the year 2000, the organizers chose not to alter the schedule. This decision reflects the importance of maintaining the traditional date, which is tied to the custom of wives returning to their parental homes during the Little New Year period. The completion of the Toyohara Tunnel in 1981 and the opening of the Matsunoyama Onsen Ski Resort in 1983 brought a significant increase in visitors to the area. In recent years, the number of foreign visitors has become particularly noticeable, adding an international dimension to this local tradition.

Highlights of the Festival

Mukonage (Groom-Throwing): The newly married groom is carried by friends to a platform approximately five meters high on the grounds of Yakushido Hall and thrown onto a snow-covered slope. This act originally served as both a rite of passage and a form of welcome for the groom into the community, symbolizing his acceptance by the village. The groom then rolls down the snowy slope toward his waiting wife, greeted by cheers and applause from the spectators.

Suminuri (Ink-Smearing): Participants mix the ash from the Sai no Kami bonfire with snow and smear it on each other's faces while saying "Omedeto" (Congratulations). This act is believed to ward off the misfortunes of the previous year and pray for good health in the new year, with the ash representing purification. The spectacle of dozens of people with completely blackened faces laughing and congratulating one another creates a surreal yet heartwarming atmosphere unique to this festival.

Sai no Kami (Dondoyaki Bonfire): Before the Suminuri begins, participants gather New Year's decorations such as kadomatsu, shimenawa, and kakizome (New Year's calligraphy) and burn them in a large bonfire. This bonfire is central to the Suminuri ritual, as its ash provides the material for the face-smearing ceremony. The towering flames and billowing smoke against the snowy landscape evoke a scene that has been repeated for centuries in this mountain village.

Participation of Newlywed Couples: In recent years, couples have been recruited through public applications, and in 2025, two couples from Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefectures participated along with local couples. This demonstrates the growing nationwide interest in this unusual festival, as people travel from distant prefectures to take part. The participating couples experience a full range of emotions from the nervous anticipation of being thrown to the exhilaration of landing and the joy of being celebrated through the Suminuri.

Spectator Participation: Unlike many traditional festivals where spectators remain passive observers, the Suminuri allows anyone to join in the face-smearing ritual. Visitors who wish to be thrown themselves can even negotiate with the organizers in advance to become participants in the Mukonage. This open and inclusive atmosphere allows tourists to become active participants in the celebration rather than mere onlookers.

Integration with the Hot Springs: The availability of hot springs where participants can wash off the ash immediately after the ceremony has been crucial to the festival's survival. Various inns and public bathhouses in Matsunoyama Onsen offer facilities for visitors to clean themselves and warm up after being out in the cold. The complete experience of participating in the festival and then soaking in a hot spring creates a memorable and satisfying cycle that is unique to this location.

Event Information and Access

• Date: Annually on January 15 (the 2026 event was held on Thursday, January 15; held rain or shine, but schedule may change in severe weather)
• Time: Mukonage begins around 2:00 PM; Suminuri begins around 3:00 PM
• Venue: Yakushido Hall, Matsunoyama Yumoto, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
• Train Access: Take the Hokuhoku Line to Matsudai Station, then take the Tokei Bus to the last stop at Matsunoyama Onsen (approximately 25 minutes, 520 yen) or a taxi (about 20 minutes)
• Car Access: Approximately 40 minutes from the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC on the Kanetsu Expressway
• Parking: Available but spaces are limited
• Contact: Matsudai-Matsunoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center (Phone: 025-597-3442, Email: [email protected])
• Important Notes: Wrap a towel around your neck to protect your clothing from ash stains. Wear appropriate footwear as walking paths can be slippery. Saving spots for photography in advance is prohibited
• Latest Schedule Confirmation: Please check the official website or contact the tourist information center to confirm the latest schedule and event status before visiting, as circumstances may change

Surrounding Area Information

Matsunoyama Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located in the mountainous area of Tokamachi City, and the Yakushido Hall where the festival takes place is situated at the far end of the hot spring street. The hot spring area features numerous inns and public bathhouses, and the sight of festival participants washing the black ash from their faces and bodies in the bathwater has become a familiar scene on the day of the festival. The spring water is a sodium-calcium chloride spring, which is said to be effective for improving circulation and relieving fatigue.

The Matsunoyama Onsen Ski Resort, which opened in 1983, is located nearby and has contributed significantly to the area's winter tourism since its completion. Many visitors combine the festival with skiing or snowboarding, and the entire Matsunoyama area enters its peak tourist season during winter. Additionally, around Matsudai Station, visitors can find the Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art (Kinare) and other facilities related to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, offering opportunities to combine festival viewing with art appreciation.

Tokamachi City is one of Japan's heaviest snowfall regions, with winter snow accumulation sometimes reaching several meters. This severe natural environment has historically strengthened the bonds among local residents and nurtured unique traditions like the Mukonage and Suminuri. When visiting the festival, it is essential to dress warmly in winter clothing, wear boots suitable for snowy conditions, and bring a change of clothes and towels in preparation for the Suminuri ritual. The hot spring street also offers restaurants where visitors can enjoy local sake and regional cuisine, allowing them to savor the afterglow of the festival experience.

Related Information

1. Both "Mukonage" and "Suminuri" are listed as component cultural properties of the Japan Heritage story "Tokamachi, the Ultimate Snow Country."
2. The festival is designated as a Tōkamachi City Intangible Folk Cultural Property (customs and manners), so designated in 1991, and is protected as a cultural heritage of the region
3. Applications for couples to participate in the Mukonage are accepted by the end of November each year, and couples from anywhere in Japan may apply
4. January 15, the festival date, falls during the period known as Koshogatsu (Little New Year), which is also called "Onnashogatsu" (Women's New Year) in some regions, reflecting the custom of married women returning to their parental homes
5. The venue, Yakushido Hall, is located at the far end of the main street of the Matsunoyama Onsen hot spring resort in the Yumoto district
6. During the January 15, 2025 festival, couples from Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefectures participated, and the event was covered by NHK local news
7. The custom is to say "Omedeto" (Congratulations) while smearing ash on each other's faces during the Suminuri, and spectators are welcome to join
8. An Okamikai (landladies' gathering) is sometimes held at a location called Jiro on the hot spring street, where amazake (sweet rice wine) is served, and English-speaking staff may be available
9. The festival is held regardless of weather conditions, but severe weather may cause schedule changes, so it is advisable to check with the tourist information center in advance
10. Wi-Fi is available at the venue, and restrooms are located at the parking lot near the entrance of the hot spring street and at the Satoyama Visitor Center

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