Baby's First Dohyo Entry Ritual (Akachan Hatsu Dohyo-iri)

About this event

Held on Monday (national holiday), October 12, 2026, at Sannomiya Hiyoshi Shrine in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, 'Akachan Hatsu Dohyo-iri' is a traditional Shinto ritual continuing since the mid-Edo period where toddlers wearing beautiful kesho-mawashi (ceremonial sumo aprons) are held by a gyoji (referee) and make gestures as if wrestling with an invisible deity. Boys and girls up to 2 years old can participate, facing an invisible deity on the dohyo ring, and finally sitting down on the center of the ring to get the sacred dohyo sand on their bodies, praying for healthy and sturdy growth. Any boy or girl from neck support stage up to 2 years old can participate, and the participation fee includes prayer fee, rental costume fee for the kesho-mawashi, and dressing fee. Same-day reception is from 8:00 to 10:30, and the number of participants is limited to 300. The event will be held in 7 groups on a first-come, first-served basis. This ritual has been passed down as a heartwarming ceremony to receive good health by wrestling with a deity and touching bottom to sacred sand, attracting many toddlers from across the country every year.

Venue

Sannomiya Hiyoshi Shrine

1408 Miyamachi, Miyazu, Kyoto 626-0005