Matsuri Festivals
Kikusui Festival at Fushimi Inari Shrine
Oct 24 – Oct 25, 09:30–15:30 · Utsunomiya Futarasan Shrine · Tochigi
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Dates
- Oct 24 – Oct 25, 2026, 09:30–15:30
About this event
SummaryExperience the vibrant Kikusui Festival, a major autumn celebration in Utsunomiya featuring grand processions and traditional archery.
Highlights
• Grand procession of the deity in a portable shrine (mikoshi)
• Traditional mounted archery demonstrations (Yabusame)
• Occasional appearance of festival floats and food stalls
Details
The Kikusui Festival is an annual autumn event held at Futarayama Shrine (also referred to as Futarasan Shrine or Nihara Shrine) in Utsunomiya. It takes place on the last Saturday and Sunday of October. Historically, this festival evolved as a supporting or preparatory event for the Akiyama Festival, which occurs on October 21st. The central feature of the Kikusui Festival is the Hōki Gyorei (or Hōren) procession. During this parade, Toyokatahirohiko-no-mikoto (also known as Toyoshiro Irihiko no Mikoto or Toyoki Iihiko-no-Mikoto), the deity enshrined at the shrine, rides in a portable shrine (mikoshi) and parades through the city of Utsunomiya. In addition to the procession, the festival includes Yabusame, where archers perform mounted archery demonstrations. While the core event is consistent, every few years, the procession is accompanied by yamatane (floats) and yatai (stalls), adding to the festive atmosphere.
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