Higashikawa Shrine Festival: Mikoshi Bearers Wanted!

About this event

At the Higashikawa Shrine Festival, the deity travels around the town on a mikoshi (portable shrine) to pray for bountiful harvests, household safety, and commercial and industrial prosperity. In this traditional festival, international students are being recruited to carry the mikoshi together. You can experience the rare opportunity of carrying a mikoshi with the members of Chubetsu Mikoshikai while chanting 'Wasshoi! Wasshoi!'. Because the mikoshi is heavy, bearers take turns carrying it while parading through the town for about 2 hours. Happi coats and tabi socks are provided for loan, so you can join empty-handed. Please bring a towel to relieve the strain on your shoulders and a change of clothes assuming you will sweat. In addition, an advance mixer (BBQ style) to learn how to carry the mikoshi in advance will be held, and participation in this is also mandatory. Why not take this opportunity to participate in a local festival and experience Japanese culture?

Venue

Higashikawa Shrine

1-6-1 Nishimachi, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido 071-1425