Fukushima Hachimangu’s View and Policy Regarding Photography, Dance, and Other Activities within the Shrine Grounds

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11 September 2026

Official Statement of Fukushima Hachimangu

Fukushima Hachimangu does not categorically prohibit dancing or the taking of photographs and videos within its grounds.

A shrine is a religious institution where prayers are offered to the deities and rituals are performed. This premise remains unchanged.

On the other hand, shrines have long served as places where people gather and enjoy themselves through festivals, dedicatory performing arts, and community events. We believe that silence is not the only way to show respect toward a shrine.

Our concern is not the acts of dancing or photography themselves.

We consider problematic any conduct that lacks consideration for the shrine or its worshippers—such as obstructing the passage of visitors, interrupting worship or ceremonies, occupying a location for extended periods, or causing a nuisance to those nearby through loud noise or dangerous behavior.

Our standard of judgment is not based on nationality, position, or the purpose of posting to social media, but on what conduct was actually carried out.

The dance video featuring our shrine staff was planned and filmed under the management of this shrine and released through our official account. Its purpose is to help many people, including younger generations, feel closer to the daily duties of shrine staff and the atmosphere of the grounds.

We do not consider this video to impair the dignity or decorum of the shrine, and we have no present plans to delete it.

*Update (September 15, 2026): Please check the update at the bottom of this page for information regarding our response to subsequent changes in the situation.

Basic Policy on Use of the Grounds

Fukushima Hachimangu establishes the following four points as its basic policy on the use of its grounds.

1. 1. The shrine is a place of prayer and ritual.
      Worship, ceremonies, and prayers take highest priority. When using the grounds, please do not forget that you stand before the deities, and please show consideration for those offering prayers.
   2. The grounds are open to the people.
      So long as visitors are not obstructed and respect toward the shrine is maintained, we do not categorically prohibit photography, video recording, or dancing within the grounds.
      The same approach applies to travel memories, cultural exchange, and personal social media posting.
   3. We judge by conduct, not by person.
      We do not alter our judgment based on nationality, faith, age, occupation, or similar factors.
      Our criteria are whether worship is being obstructed, whether those nearby are being disturbed, whether safety is maintained, and whether respect toward the shrine is present.
   4. We respect the policies of other shrines.
      Each shrine has its own history, grounds environment, and manner of conducting rituals.

The policy of Fukushima Hachimangu is not meant to apply to all shrines. When visiting another shrine, please follow the rules established by that shrine and the instructions of its staff.

Activities Permitted within the Grounds

In principle, the following activities by individuals or small groups do not require prior permission, provided the conditions are met.

• Photography and video recording to commemorate a visit
• Brief filming of dancing
• Photography for posting to personal social media
• Expressive activities that do not obstruct the passage or worship of other visitors

When photographing, please take care that the faces of other visitors are not captured without their consent.

Activities Requiring Prior Consultation

If you intend to carry out any of the following, please consult Fukushima Hachimangu in advance.

• Photography or performances involving large numbers of people
• Photography using the same location for extended periods
• Photography using tripods, lighting equipment, sound equipment, etc.
• Drone photography
• Photography for commercial purposes, advertising, or product promotion
• Events, functions, or dedicatory performances
• Interviews or filming by media, production companies, organizations, etc.

Activities We Decline

We decline the following activities. If staff confirm such activity, we may ask that it be stopped or relocated.

• Obstructing approach to the shrine or exits and entrances, and impeding the movement of visitors
• Interfering with ceremonies, prayers, or worship
• Causing a disturbance to those nearby, such as through loud voices, high volume, or prolonged occupation of a location
• Dangerous photography or performances
• Climbing on, touching, or damaging buildings, torii gates, lanterns, sacred implements, trees, etc.
• Entering restricted areas
• Conduct lacking respect toward the shrine or its visitors
• Unauthorized business, sales, fundraising, solicitation, or missionary work
• Failure to follow the instructions of staff

Regarding Social Media Operation

Fukushima Hachimangu utilizes social media as a public relations tool to help people learn about the shrine’s existence and activities.

While our aim is to reach as many people as possible, this is not intended to disregard rituals or faith, nor to seek only temporary attention.

We believe that preserving tradition and culture and conveying the shrine through modern means are not in conflict. If we do not convey it, we cannot pass it on to the next generation.

Silence alone is not sacredness. But being free is not the same as behaving however one pleases.

Please spend your time within the grounds of Fukushima Hachimangu without forgetting consideration for those who pray and respect toward the deities.

 

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[Postscript:15 September 2026]

Following the publication of this statement, the response surrounding our shrine’s videos has spread further.

This shrine has determined that there is a heightened need to protect the safety and privacy of the performers and those involved, as well as their current life and employment positions, and we are accordingly withdrawing certain videos from public view in sequence.

This does not constitute a retraction of our shrine’s view or policy regarding photography, dance, and other activities within the grounds. In light of changing circumstances, it is a review of the scope of public release of the videos in order to protect the performers and those involved.

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