The festival name “Onigie” derives from the word onigiwai, which refers to all the hustle and bustle that surrounds festival. Along with all the excitement of the parade, visitors can also look forward to the stands and stalls that will be set up inside the shrine’s grounds! The festival initially started as an expression of gratitude for good harvest but has evolved and now features parades that draw inspiration from the Kyoto Gion Festival. One of the main highlights is the sight of the masked dancers riding on top of the Dorotsukudon float as it is marched through the streets of Yanagawa. Don’t miss it!
Photo: Mihashira Shrine
• 10/7(Sat.) ~ 10/9 (Mon.)
• 10:00 ~ 22:00
• Free
• 323-1 Takahatake, Mitsuhashi-machi, Yanagawa
• 0944-74-0891 (Yanagawa City Tourist Information Center)
• http://www13.plala.or.jp/mihashirajinja/omatsuri.html