八坂神社参道 — Attraction in Kyoto

July 17, 2025 – Gion Festival's Shinkō-sai

A Detailed Overview of Evening Religious Rituals and Processions in Kyoto

Shinkō-sai: Sacred Mikoshi Procession from Yasaka Shrine

On the afternoon of July 17, one of the climactic rituals of the Gion Festival—Shinkō-sai (Divine Procession)—is solemnly held under the auspices of Yasaka Shrine. On this day, three portable shrines (mikoshi), representing Susanoo-no-Mikoto (Gozu Tennō) and his divine children, are ceremoniously carried out of the shrine by participants dressed in traditional festival garments.

The procession begins around 4:00 PM, departing from Yasaka Shrine and traveling through Kyoto's main thoroughfares such as Shijō and Oike streets. Its destination is the Otabisho, a temporary sacred resting place for the deities, located in the heart of the city. The mikoshi will remain there until the "Kankō-sai" (return procession) on July 24.

Around 6:00 PM: Town Associations and Religious Groups Parade through Key Streets

Parade Locations

Around 6:00 PM, ceremonial processions appear in areas such as Municipal Road 186, Yamatooji-dōri, and Hanamikoji Street. These locations become temporary stages for vibrant and symbolic ritual processions.

Composition of the Processions

These processions are generally made up of:

Machikai (Town Associations): Traditional neighborhood organizations from across Kyoto send their own symbolic delegations in full regalia, including drummers, banner bearers, and dancers.

Seikōsha Members: These are religious groups focused on chanting sutras and conducting Buddhist blessings. Participants may include monks, students, or followers, often dressed in white or ritual garments, chanting prayers or carrying sacred instruments.

Role-Playing Figures: Individuals dressed as ancient court officials or onmyōji (Yin-Yang diviners), typically on horseback, recreate ancient purification rituals from the Heian period.

Purpose of the Processions

These groups either precede or follow the mikoshi as part of traditional purification rites. The appearance of onmyōji represents celestial-human harmony and exorcism, while the presence of Seikōsha members chanting along the streets adds a spiritual layer of prayer and blessing...

Nice places. May start visit here and continue walk to Kiyomizu-dera. not very far, surrounding is with shop lots. U will not feel like ...

⛩️ 構造：西楼門を正面玄関とし、四条通からまっすぐに延びる参道が本殿へと続いています。 • 特徴： • 西楼門をくぐると、正面に長い石畳の参道が伸び、両側には石灯籠が整然と並んでいます。 • 参道は緩やかに上り坂になっており、進むにつれて荘厳な社殿群が目に入ります。 • 夜には石灯籠や境内がライトアップされ、幻想的な雰囲気に。特に正月・祇園祭・節分などの行事時には賑わいます。

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