This year, the weather doesn't seem to be a concern. We're focused on completing the Miyairi procession safely and without incident throughout the town!
Children from our sister city, Date City, Fukushima Prefecture, also came to experience the Shimodate Gion Festival. We hope they enjoy it to the fullest and experience Shimodate's traditions. We're also grateful to the generosity of the people of Inari Town who agreed to host them.
Every year, we're amazed by the extraordinary number of people on the final day of the festival. Where on earth are all these people coming from?
​The crowds pile up so thickly that it's difficult to pass each other.
Through the crowds, the children chant "Wasshoi, wasshoi!" as they lift the mikoshi into the air.
The Miyairi procession involves participants circling the shrine grounds three times in a row. With their last bit of strength, they shout out loud and push the mikoshi upward.

It's a moment when children and adults alike come together as one.

After the entire neighborhood's shrine entry procession was successfully completed, the tall lanterns from all neighborhoods gathered in front of the station, leading the Heisei mikoshi as it made its way to the shrine.

The spirited, dandy mikoshi is a proud cultural icon of Chikusei.

This year's festival came to a close, once again watched by a large crowd of spectators.