The Kanko Festival, the annual Saga Festival held at Atago Shrine and Nonomiya Shrine in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, was held on May 26, 2024 in the Arashiyama area. The sword hoko and mikoshi were paraded bravely in front of many tourists, and the energetic shouts of the bearers and the sound of lively bells echoed throughout the scenic spot.
The festival is sponsored by the Saga Festival Support Association, which is made up of local residents. Approximately 1,000 parishioners from the Saga-Arashiyama area participated.
The five sword hokos and mikoshi from both shrines departed from Otabisho near Seiryoji Temple at 10am. When the bearer of the sword hoko used his unique footwork to rhythmically ring the bell attached to the top of the hoko, loud applause and cheers erupted from the roadside. The procession took about 7 hours to walk around Daikakuji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge, and other places for about 10 kilometers, and foreign tourists seemed to be curious and took pictures of the procession.
