On the evening of July 19, 2026, the "Miyairi" (ritual entry into the shrine)—the highlight of the "Yawata Taiko Festival," a summer tradition in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture—took place in the vicinity of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine. "Yakata-daiko" (portable shrines carrying drums) from various districts, along with portable shrines for children, gathered together and paraded along the shrine's approach, their spirited chants of "Yossa, Yossa" echoing through the air.
This event serves as the eve festival for the annual rite of Kora Shrine, a subsidiary shrine of Iwashimizu Hachimangu. The festival is said to have originated during the Edo period.
At 6:30 p.m., seven portable shrines that had toured their respective districts converged at the *Tongu* (temporary shrine) of Iwashimizu Hachimangu. After receiving a ritual purification from Shinto priests in front of the shrine, participants took turns hoisting the portable shrines—each weighing two tons—and marched back and forth along the approach while beating the drums. Spectators broke into applause and cheers as the bearers vigorously rocked the shrines up, down, and side-to-side, or lifted them high into the air.
