The rainy season ends and it starts to get really hot in July.
In Kyoto, summer events that have been held since ancient times are still cherished and enjoyed by many people.
This time, we will introduce one of them,Mitarashi Festival.
Mitarashi Festival
This festival is held every year around the end of July at Shimogamo Shrine, a World Heritage Site.
It is also known as the “Leg-Dipping Ritual” (Ashitsuke Shinji), where people visit the shrine to pray for good health and to purify both body and mind.
The most distinctive feature of the festival is the ritual where visitors enter the sacred Mitarashi Pond barefoot.
Visitors dip their feet in the cool water and place a lit candle on a stand in the center of the pond.
Through this act, one prays for cleansing oneself of evildoings and for good health and purity of mind.
As an aside, the name of the rice dumplings called “Mitarashi dango” comes from this festival.
It is said that during this season, people’s minds and bodies are easily thrown off balance, so purifying the body with this water seems to have great significance.
The festival is also said to be the origin of the name of the sweet called “mitarashi dango,” which are rice dumplings said to be inspired by the bubbles that rise in the pond.
These treats are sold within the shrine grounds during the festival,and it seems like it would be fun to eat mitarashi dango after praying.
The festival is lively and fun during the day, but we recommend going at night.
The candlelights are reflected in the water of the pond, creating a truly magical sight.
It’s a wonderful way to spend a summer evening quietly reflecting on yourself.
Before you go, please check the official website for details on the dates and times of the event.
Information of Shimogamo Shrine
Address: 59 Shimogamo Izumikawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Visiting Hours: 6:30am ～ 5:00pm
Access: About 12 minutes on foot from Demachiyanagi Station (Keihan Railway)
URL：https://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/
Information of Mitarashi Festival (2025)
Dates: Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 27, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: Around the Mitarashi Pond, within Shimogamo Shrine grounds
Participation Fee: 500 yen (includes a white candle for offering)
URL：https://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/saiji/mitarashi
