Travel

Mikoshi Splashes into Sea in Wakayama Festival

Wakayama, Sep 22 (News On Japan) - Katsuura Hachiman Shrine in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, held its annual festival on September 21st, drawing tourists with the spectacular "Underwater Purification" ritual in which carriers of the mikoshi, or portable shrine, leapt into the sea from the fishing port pier.

The festival began with a parade through the port town before moving into the sea, where participants prayed for a bountiful catch and safe voyages.

Afterward, the mikoshi was placed on a boat and rowed by young men back to the shrine. At the port, another small boat crewed by young men awaited, and the celebration reached its climax as the mikoshi arrived at the pier and plunged into the sea, sending up a splash that drew loud cheers from spectators.

Source: Kyodo

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