On December 26, 2025, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto's Fushimi Ward held a ceremony to welcome worshippers for their first visit of the year. A unique, gigantic shimenawa (sacred rope) with ears of rice was attached to the main shrine, creating a welcoming atmosphere throughout the grounds.
The shimenawa at the main shrine is approximately 8 meters long, 20 centimeters in diameter, and weighs approximately 60 kilograms. It contains approximately 50 bundles of rice, each about 1 meter long, with ears of rice attached.
Around 1:00 p.m., priests climbed up a ladder to the main shrine, attached the shimenawa, and decorated them with urajiro (white-skinned bamboo) and yuzu leaves, completing the work in about 50 minutes. One of the priests commented, "We can welcome everyone with a refreshing feeling. We pray for many blessings." Shimenawa will be strung at approximately 20 shrines and graveyards throughout Mount Inari through December 27.
Members of the Miyama Shimenawa Group from Miyama Town, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, who donated the shimenawa, also joined in the work. Representative thatched roof craftsman Kobayashi Masayuki (41 years old) was delighted, saying, "We put our heart and soul into making this. Now we can welcome the New Year in a good mood."
