In the past, the Kuniyama no Shinji Ceremony was held on four nights: February 3^rd, 4^th, and 6^th at a layperson’s home and February 7^th at the Hachioji Shrine for the main ceremony. However, today it is only held on January 3^rd every 4 years at the shrine.

The ritual of Kuniyama no Shinji was previously called naruwai and tagayashi. At the beginning of the year, partakers would simulate the farm work carried out throughout the year and pray for an abundant harvest for that year. The ritual is a reenactment broken down into 3 parts. The first is a reenactment of the beginning of farm work until the planting of seedlings. The second is the taking of seedlings from the seedling bed and planting them, and the third is the harvest. At the conclusion of the ceremony, tree branches that have been hung from the shrine ceiling in advance are all pulled down at once. It is said that the branches piled on the floor will bring about a rich harvest of rice crop.

The ritual ceremony begins at 9:00 p.m. and ends around 1:00 a.m.

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