The Oi River continues to flow cleanly since ancient times. The water god of the Oi River, which gives us a rich water source and many blessings necessary for life, is the god of Oi Shrine. In honor of the water god, we have also awarded an amulet that is as clear as water. Through the amulet that is as clear as the clear stream of the Oi River, please always receive the blessing of the water god.

10/1~10/31 only Oi Shrine is a monthly limited "obi shuin stamps". It is a gorgeous pattern related to our big festival "Obi Festival". Since it is transparent, you can also enjoy it through the scenery.

The Oi Shrine Grand Festival is also called the "Obi Festival" and is a festival in which the god of Oi Shrine returns to the old shrine site (inn) once every three years. Today, for three days including the second Sunday in October, a gorgeous festival is held in the town of Shimada where dainu, daimyo processions, Kashima odori, street stall dances from 1st Avenue to 5th Avenue, and ground dances are held. Especially on the last day, all of them form a large procession together with the mikoshi procession, and they slowly parade for a whole day for a round trip of about 4 km from Oi Shrine to the inn. Due to the appearance and swing of the dainu at this time, as well as the unique form of Kashima Odori, the obi festival has come to be counted as one of the three strange festival in Japan. In addition, since the Edo period, first-class entertainers from Edo have been invited to choreographed dances in each town, Nagauta, and shamisen, and Nagauta in particular is also called "Nagauta Festival" because the iemoto of each school competed for throat.

On both sides of the approach to the shrine with a view of the worship hall, there is a pair of stone top dogs, which always protect the gods. This powerful and dignified komainu was dedicated in 1938 by a then-famous Japanese confectionery shop called "Oki Kyodo" in Hondori 5-chome, Shimada, the year after the start of the Sino-Japanese War (China Incident), and was carved by Shimada stonemason Masuno-chohei. The right pedestal is carved with the words "Takeyu" and the left pedestal is carved with "Nagahisa", and it seems that it is a top dog dedicated to pray for Japan's victory and peace, and the safety of those who went to war.

Photographed at Sagicho Festival in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture

A festival held from Saturday to Sunday in the last week of February in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture

Close-up of the shrine of the Asakusa Sansha Festival. Very delicate and gorgeous.

Kariya City's "Mando Festival" designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Aichi Prefecture It is called "the strange festival of heaven" at the festival of Akibasha in Ginza, Kariya City. The sight of one person carrying a colorful lantern made of bamboo and Japanese paper and dancing in the darkness of the midsummer evening to the beating of flutes and drums is a masterpiece!

A strange festival held in the precincts of Toyoishi Shrine in Taketoyo Town, Chita District, Aichi Prefecture "Jaguruma Festival" The sight of a hand-held fireworks resembling a dragon's mouth waving from side to side from the top of the float is truly a strange festival. Aichi Prefecture has many strange festivals related to fire festivals, but this was also the first time I went there and it was a masterpiece.

Introducing photos post "Everyone's post"! Inbound tourist information social media "COOL JAPAN VIDEOS" pickup post. Today, I would like to introduce Lily0321's post "Cleaning up the dondo-yaki fire held in a mountain village in Niigata Prefecture". It's a quaint piece that captures unique festival and traditional culture. In Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, the strange festival "Muko Throwing" and "Sumi-zuki" held in January every year are small New Year's events that have been handed down since the Edo period. Muko-tossing wishes for the blessing of marriage and the bond of husband and wife, and throws the son-in-law who got married the previous year off a 5-meter-high cliff. In addition, Sumi-gashi is an event in which charcoal and snow are mixed with dondoyaki (Shinto ritual, the god of sai) and applied to each other's faces, wishing for a disease-free life and prosperity of the family business. The festival is held at Matsunoyama Onsen, one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan. It is a historical hot spring that has a theory that it is a hidden hot spring of the Echigo guardian Uesugi family. Due to the strong salt quality of the spring, it does not cool down even in winter, and it is also called "Japan's three major medicinal hot springs". The hot spring town is full of sightseeing spots such as open-air baths, day-trip hot springs, foot baths, and gourmet food. At the "Earth Furnace" where the kominka was relocated, you can experience grilling the hearth and making hot spring pork. ◆Matsunoyama Onsen◆ 【Access】 About 25 minutes by bus from Matsudai Station on the Hokuhoku Line About 60 minutes by car from the Kanetsu Expressway "Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC" Please check the official website for details.

The New Year's event "Sumi-zuki" can be seen in various parts of the Japan. "Sumi-zuki" is a strange festival that burns the god of sai and prays for a good harvest and disease-free life that year. The photo shows the locals who really enjoyed the "Son-in-law Throwing and Suminuri" festival at Matsunoyama Onsen in Niigata Prefecture.