Sumiyoshi Shrine is the shrine of guardian deities of Otaru, and its annual festival is held 14-16 July.
On the Festival Eve (14th), ‘Shinto music and dance to dedicate to the deities was performed at the main sanctuary of the shrine. Dancers were all children, and their dancing was filled with solemn beauty.
On the 15th, the main festival day, ‘Mikoshi’, gorgeous portable shrines go around the city in procession throughout the day. The biggest portable shrine carried by many Mikoshi carriers will go around the shrine areas between 19:00 and 21:00.
The approach to the shrine is lined with many stalls selling food, games and so on, and it is crowded with many people.
Shrine festival can be a good opportunity for overseas visitors to see part of Shinto rituals, and of course, it’s really fun to look around the stalls.
One of the three portable shrines going around the streets.
A part of portable shrine parade
One of the dancers going up to the main sanctuary to dedicate a dance to the deities.
The approach to the shrine is lined with many stalls, and crowded with people.
