On July 10, we experienced one of the most atmospheric events of the Gion Festival: the Omukae Chochin (Lantern Welcome Procession).
It was an unforgettable evening filled with tradition, sacred rituals, and seasonal magic.
The Lantern Procession: A Walk Through Living Tradition
At 4:30 PM, the procession departed from Yasaka Shrine, with locals carrying lanterns and the sound of Gion-bayashi (festival music) echoing through Shijo Street.
As dusk fell, the lanterns glowed brighter, and it felt as if Kyoto had turned into a living museum of tradition.
Torch Lighting and the Mikoshi Purification Ceremony
After the lantern procession, torches were lit at Yasaka Shrine, casting a mystical glow over the shrine grounds.
Then, a line of torchbearers marched to Shijo Bridge and back, purifying the path where the mikoshi would later pass.
The flickering flames moving through the twilight created a deeply sacred atmosphere across the city.
Once the torches returned, the mikoshi (portable shrines) were purified by Shinto priests and then carried out by their bearers, beginning their powerful journey toward the river.
At Shijo Bridge, the Mikoshi Arai ritual took place—where the mikoshi were purified with water from the Kamo River, illuminated by torchlight and tradition.
It was a breathtaking moment where fire, water, and faith came together in the heart of Kyoto.
Sacred Performances: Heron Dance and Nihon Buyo
After the mikoshi returned to Yasaka Shrine, we were treated to beautiful dedicatory performances.
These included the elegant and symbolic Heron Dance (Sagi-mai) and refined Nihon Buyo (classical Japanese dance).
Watching these sacred arts performed before the gods was both moving and awe-inspiring—a reminder that Kyoto’s traditional culture is still very much alive.
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