Oct. 11, 2022 UPDATE
Gokounomiya Shinkosai Festival
- 御香宮神幸祭 -Traveler Friendly
Although English brochure or any information in foreign languages are unavailable, you will surely enjoy the festival atmosphere without any Japanese language.
Information
Japanese only
Languages spoken
Japanese only
PeriodOctober 1st - 9th, 2022
VenueGokounomiya Shrine
Story & Recommendation
Dynamic Hanagasa parade and gorgeous Mikoshi in Fushimi
Unknown for its foundation year, Gokounomiya Shrine is worshipped as the deity of an easy delivery. The name of the shine was originally different but changed after the fact that an Emperor Seiwa found the scented water in the well of the precinct. Therefore, the name of the shrine became Gokounomiya Shrine which literally means the great scented shrine.
In Gokounomiya Shrine where is located in Fushimi area in Kyoto, “Gokounomiya Shinkosai Festival” will be held in October. As this Shinkosai festival lasts for 9 days, a lot of people will visit to enjoy the festival atmosphere. During the Shinkosai festival, there will be the children Sumo wrestling and performance of court dance and music as well as the Japanese vertical bamboo flute. One of the highlights is Hanagasa (a type of conical hat adorned with flowers used in Japanese traditional performing arts) procession which will be held on the 1st and 8th days of the festival called “Yoimiyasai Festival”. This procession will be going through the shopping district in the lively atmosphere. On the last day of the festival, there will be a gorgeous Mikoshi (portable shrine) procession. Please also enjoy more than 100 various stalls during the festival!
1Highlight
Hanagasa procession
This is one of the highlights of the Shinkosai festival. Hanagasa is a type of conical hat adorned with flowers used in Japanese traditional performing arts. Hanagasa procession will be taken place in the shopping street in Fushimi area where lots of people gather. This parade will move in the procession with various kinds of decorated Hanagasa. Please enjoy the colorful and various Hanagasa in this Shinkosai festival!
2Highlight
Mikoshi procession
Mikoshi is a portable shrine carried by men mostly in a festival. This Mikoshi procession will be taken place on the last day of the festival as one of the biggest events. Formerly, “Senhime Mikoshi” which was offered for the birth of Senhime who was a granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu Shogun was carried by men in this Shinkosai festival. However, since it is too heavy, this Mikoshi is not carried today. Instead, it is displayed in the precinct of the shrine during the Shinkosai festival.
3Let's join!
Stalls in the Shinkosai festival
There will be more than 100 stalls in the precinct of the shrine during the Shinkosai festival and it will be crowded with lots of visitors. We recommend that you try some Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki that are usually eaten in a festival in Japan.
