On September 6, 2026, the Hassaku Festival—held to pray for calm weather and an abundant harvest—took place at Matsunoo-taisha Shrine in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City. The event featured a ceremonial sumo ring entry for babies and a procession of a portable shrine carried by women; spirited shouts echoed through the streets as local residents and tourists looked on.
In the Arashiyama area, women dressed in pure white *happi* coats and twisted headbands carried the portable shrine, parading through the town while praying for the safety and well-being of local households. They chanted vigorous calls like "Hoit, hoit" and "Yoto, yoto" in rhythm with their movements. When they hoisted the shrine high above their heads with all their might at Togetsukyo Bridge, cheers erupted from the crowd of tourists.
The shrine is carried annually by members of the "Matsunoo-taisha Onna-mikoshi Yamabuki-kai" (Matsunoo-taisha Women's Portable Shrine Association), a group formed in 1998. This year marked the 29th edition of the event.
The procession covered a route of approximately four kilometers: departing from Matsunoo-taisha in the morning, holding a ritual at Nonomiya Shrine (Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City), and returning to Matsunoo-taisha via Togetsukyo Bridge. About 110 people—ranging in age from toddlers to those in their eighties—participated in carrying the shrine, with attendees gathering from within the prefecture, other parts of Japan, and overseas.
