Mitarashi Matsuri is held at the Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto.
This festival is famous for the foot bathing ritual where you have to walk through freezing cold water to cleanse and purify your spirit before you light candles to pray for health and longevity and then drink some water that comes from the same river.
This festival is usually around four days long in July.
How to enjoy Mitarashi Matsuri
Go ahead the reception and take off your shoes, then get the candle in exchange for 300 yen at the desk.
Let’s start walking from the vermilion bridge and wade into the water and proceeding towards the sub-shrine.
People would be surprised at the cold water and its depth, the because it comes from an underground spring.
The depth of river is the same height of knee of an adult, so please note in your mind that preparation for your luggage and clothes is needed.
There is a big candle in the small shrine to lit your candle along the river.
Place the candle in front of sub-shrine which worships Seoritsu Hime, a god of purification, and offer up prayers to her for sound health.
After the pray, it’s time to purify the inside with some delicious really good and tasty water.
Staff offers you a cup of water so receive it after cleansing your hands.
Actually, you can bring it home with a bottle or a canteen you have if you ask.
* On the way to the festival, there are a lot of vendors set up lots of food, drinks, and souvenirs.
Information
Address:
59, Shimogamo Izumikawa cho, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto
Date:
July 19th ~ 28th, 2019
Time:
9:00~21:00
Access:
“Shimogamo-jinja mae”(下鴨神社前) bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus #4, 205 at Kyoto Station
12-minute walk from “Demachiyanagi” St. on Keihan line.
Admission Fee:
300 yen for a candle
Do you need more information?
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