"Wasshoi, wasshoi" The Kamiokoppe District held its Shinto shrine festival on September 7, while the Nishiokoppe District celebrated on September 11. This is an important community event where residents come together to participate. In both districts, people gather in front of the shrine, and the portable shrine procession parades through the town. Banners and large fans contrasted beautifully against the blue sky. Since I usually travel by car, this might have been the day I walked the most all year. The sounds of drums and flutes accompany the shouts of "wasshoi" echoing throughout the town. Adults who can drink during the day also enjoy sacred sake 🍶 In the Nishiokoppe District, the lion dance performers and tengu meet. Chigo and elementary school students in happi coats walked a lot as well. #Nishiokoppe Village #Shinto shrine festival #Gratitude #Portable shrine procession #Rice cakes

【Cancellation Notice】 Due to poor ground conditions, preparations could not be completed by the day before, and the "58th Gosenkoku Matsuri in Ogata Town, Bungoono City" scheduled for Sunday, September 20th has been canceled. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 58th Gosenkoku Matsuri in Ogata Town, Bungoono City ❚ Scheduled for September 20, 2026 The Gosenkoku Matsuri will be held in Ogata Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. This is a unique annual festival where portable shrines from around Ogata Town gather in one schoolyard. It is held with the aim of connecting traditional culture, which has been passed down in the community, to the next generation, along with prayers for a bountiful harvest. At the venue, Ogata Elementary School grounds, the portable shrines are lined up neatly, and the sounds of drums, lion dances, and kagura (Shinto ritual dance) add color to the festival. Among the highlights, the lion dance and white bear, which are rarely seen up close, are unique attractions for this day. 【Date】Sunday, September 20, 2026 【Location】Ogata Elementary School Grounds (100 Ogata Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) The event may be canceled or changed due to weather conditions. 【Event Schedule】 10:00 Lion Dance, White Bear, Portable Shrine Setup 11:30 Mikoshi Matsuri (Procession of the Portable Shrine) 12:00 Ogata Akatsuki Taiko (Drum Performance) 12:15 Okudake Ryū Kamihata Lion Dance Club 12:30 Ogata Three Shrines Kagura, Ogata Children's Kagura 16:00 Return of the Portable Shrine 16:20 Lion Dance, White Bear 17:15 Return of the Portable Shrine *Start times may vary depending on the situation. ▶ Concurrent Event 13:30～ Children's Portable Shrine Procession 【Organizer and Contact】 Gosenkoku Matsuri Executive Committee, Ogata Branch Phone: 0974-42-2111 ■■Access from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture to the center of Bungoono City■■■ Approximately 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture Approximately 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Gion Festival Shinko Festival: Countless smartphones capturing the Mikoshi procession This image captures the magnificent sight of the Mikoshi procession filling Shijō Street during the "Shinko Festival" of the Gion Festival, which symbolizes summer in Kyoto. The Tōmi Mikoshi, shining in gold and white, is powerfully carried by bearers in white garments. In a bid to catch a glimpse of this historic moment, the crowd lining the streets raises a multitude of smartphones in unison. This vibrant scene represents the fusion of traditional festival culture and modern societal behavior, encapsulating the spirit of our times. Gioncho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Gion Festival and Kankō-sai: The fervor and procession that fills the night in Kyoto This scene captures the grand procession that fills Shijō Street during the finale of the Gion Festival, known as Kankō-sai. As the warm light of lanterns illuminates the streets, a large number of men dressed in white garments march powerfully alongside the big tall lanterns of "Shiwaka" and the portable shrine. The gaze and excitement from the spectators resonate in the vibrant night streets of Kyoto, echoing the overwhelming fervor and vitality unique to this traditional event as they escort the deities back to Yasaka Shrine. Gioncho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Gion Festival and Shinko Festival: The Enthusiasm of Children Connecting to the Future This scene captures the adorable yet reliable figures of children supporting the Gion Festival's "Shinko Festival," which colors the summer of Kyoto. Dressed in matching white hanten jackets and headbands, the children stand in a line, carefully holding onto a single rope. Their serious gazes and smiles amidst the lively atmosphere convey the warmth of this traditional event, as well as the vibrant spirit that connects it to the next generation. Gioncho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Photographed on January 3, 2014. A performance of festival music (ohayashi) at Koedo Kurari.

I watched a hayashi (festival music ensemble) performance at Koedo Kurari.

Photographed on October 19, 2013. The portable shrine figure from the float is displayed. This is the float of Wakitamachi dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, Year 25. When the lead rigger strikes the clapper, the float begins to move. This is the float of Wakitamachi, Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, 2025. This is Ieyasu’s float passing under the pedestrian overpass in front of Atre Kawagoe.

Photographed on October 18, Heisei 25 (2013). This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Sanno float passing each other during the hikkwase (float encounter).

Photographed on October 18, 2013. This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Ōta Dōkan float passing each other.

Photographed on October 18, 25. The parade features the float of Prince of Lanling and the float of Kagami Shishi (Mirror Lion Dance) pulling past each other.

Photographed on October 18, Year 25. This is the pulling-together of Nakamachi’s float “Prince of Lanling” and Wakitamachi’s float “Ieyasu Tokugawa.”

Photographed on October 18, 2013. From the left: Wakitamachi’s float of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Shintomichō 1 Chome’s float of Tokugawa Iemitsu, and Shintomi-cho 2-chome’s float of the Mirror Lion in a hikikae (float exchange).

Photographed on October 18, Year 25. This is the hikikae (float handover) between the Nakaharacho float of Kawagoe Taro Shigetada and the Shintomichō 2-chōme float, Mirror Lion.

Photographed on October 18, 2013. This is the Seibu Hon-Kawagoe PePe and the Kagami-shishi float.

Photographed on October 18, 2013. After the evening festival ends, the floats are being prepared to start moving. There are many photos from the Kawagoe Festival….

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama. From the lion's head, a little bit appeared.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama. The lion's head is dancing.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama. The lanterns on the festival float are lit and the song is performed.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is Yoiyama of the Kawagoe Festival. A raccoon was giving sweets to a child.

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of a mirror lion greeting Mr. Yamada of Washi paper.

Photographed 10/18/25. Heading towards Hon-Kawagoe Station, it is a festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome Kagami Lion.

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome, Kagami Lion in front of Maruhiro Department Store.

Photographed 10/18/25. In front of the Maruhiro Department Store, three festival floats were being towed. From left to right: Shintomi Town 2-chome, Kagami festival float, Otemachi Suzume festival float, Shintomi Town 1-chome, Iemitsu festival float.

Photographed 10/18/25. In front of the Maruhiro Department Store, the festival float of Otemachi Suzume and the festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome Kagami Shion are towed.

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of Otemachi Suzume in front of Maruhiro Department Store.

Photographed 10/18/25. Prayer at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is a festival float of Benkei in Shita Town.