Autumn Annual Grand Festival: Togyoshiki Procession at Goryo Shrine

About this event

The most gorgeous procession (Togyoshiki) in Naramachi is a must-see. Located in the center of Naramachi, Goryo Shrine is deeply revered as 'Goryo-san of Naramachi.' The Autumn Annual Grand Festival, cherished by local residents as a traditional event in Naramachi, is said to have originated from the Goryo-e ritual held at Shinsenen in the Heian period. Although it was originally a ritual to pacify spirits and ward off disasters, with the passage of time it transformed into today's festival praying for peace in the community. Every year on October 13, the Mikoshi Togyo (portable shrine procession) of the main shrine festival is held. The deity is transferred from the main hall to the portable shrine, and together with a procession wearing gorgeous Heian-period costumes, lion dancers, and Sarutahiko, marches through the parish area divided into an inner route and an outer route every other year, taking 2 years to complete the divine procession through all parish areas. Depending on circumstances, the contents and times of the event may change.

Venue

Goryo Shrine

24 Yakushido-cho, Nara, Nara 630-8321