Saigu Gyoretsu Procession

Nonomiya Shrine was used to be a place where Saio, an unmarried princess, purified herself before heading to Ise Jingu Shrine which is known as the oldest shrine in Japan to serve the God and emperors. Located in Sagano where is popular for Arashiyama and the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine has been a sacred place with Kuroki Torii which is the oldest style of torii gate in Japan and Koshiba-gaki which is a low fence made by small branches. Its beauty and sanctity were depicted in The Tale of Genji which is a classic work of Japanese literature written by a noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early years of the 11th century in Heian Period in Japan. Nonomiya Shrine has been receiving reverence from all over Japan as the deity of marriage and pregnancy. Saigu Gyoretsu Procession consists of about 100 people who wear gorgeous and luxurious clothes to recreate the scene of “Saio Gunko” which was a long trip to Ise from Kyoto with hundreds of attendants. It is said that it took about 5-6 days to get to Ise by stopping by 6 temporary shrines. Please also enjoy the ancient court music offered in this procession!