The Nagoshisai, the final festival of the month-long Gion Festival, was held on July 31, 2025, at Eki Shrine, located within the grounds of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward. Approximately 300 people, including parishioners of Yasaka Shrine and float-related personnel, paid their respects and passed through a straw ring to express gratitude for the safe completion of the festival and pray for good health.
The ritual began at 10:00 a.m., with the chief priest, Akiyoshi Nomura (66 years old), reciting a prayer. Normally, representatives from approximately 10 festival-related organizations, including the Seisei Kosha and the Gion Festival Yamahoko Association, offer tamagushi (sacred branches). However, due to the extreme heat, only the responsible officials of Yasaka Shrine participated in the offering, shortening the time. By 10:00 a.m., temperatures in Kyoto City had exceeded 34°C.
After the ritual, participants passed through a straw ring, approximately 2 meters in diameter, made of kaya grass, and bowed before the shrine. They took home the kaya provided by the shrine and prayed for good health.
