A mysterious procession paraded through the town at night. On July 18, 2026, a "Fox Wedding Procession"—organized for the first time by a residents' group in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture—took place in the city center. Participants wore fox masks and carried lanterns, creating an ethereal scene that captivated local residents and families lining the route.
The event was organized by the "Hyottoko Odori Joyo-kai" (Joyo Hyottoko Dance Association), which was marking its 10th anniversary, out of a desire to do something for the local community.
In the evening, after a light rain—fitting for the folklore of a "fox wedding"—had passed, the procession set out from Mido Shrine (in the Terada district of Joyo City) and paraded for about 1.5 kilometers through the streets of Terada. As the 100 participants, all wearing white fox masks, formed a line, the shrine approach was enveloped in a mystical atmosphere. The "fox bride," dressed in a traditional all-white *shiromuku* wedding kimono, struck a pose—holding her wrist upright and mimicking a fox's "kon" cry—in time with the clacking of wooden clappers.
A six-year-old boy from the local Shiinoki Nursery School, who walked in the procession with his family, smiled shyly and said, "I'm happy my friends are watching."
At the city hall along the route, members performed the "Hyottoko Dance"—a dance originating in Miyazaki Prefecture that the association has showcased for years. They welcomed impromptu participation, creating a circle of people enjoying the comical dance.
Wiping away sweat, the 79-year-old representative of the Hyottoko Odori Joyo-kai remarked, "There are still plenty of fun things we can do here in Joyo."
