As you pass through the second torii gate and stroll along the wide approach, you’ll reach the shrine plaza. There, you'll find a special type of sacred “shimenawa” rope called “agemaki musubi” tied in the plaza. The main deity of Hiraoka Shrine is Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto, a god who oversees religious ceremonies and is closely connected to the myths involving the shimenawa rope.

In honor of this deity, Hiraoka Shrine hosts a festival called “Shimekake Shinji” every December, during which the shimenawa is replaced with a new one. This ritual is also known as the “Owarai Shinto Ritual.” At the beginning of the ritual, the chief priest laughs heartily, exclaiming “Ah-ha-ha,” and the worshippers join in. This laughing ritual continues for 20 minutes, as participants each laugh in their own way. People from all over the country come to this event to laugh away the misfortunes of the year and attract good fortune.

This ritual has deep ancient roots, celebrating the joy of Amaterasu Omikami as she emerged from a cave, brought to light by the rituals of Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto and the laughter of the gods. This pivotal moment restored light to a world once shrouded in darkness. For this reason, Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto is revered as the first deity in Japan to perform rituals and guide ceremonial practices.