Onomichi Gion Festival

One of Onomichi’s three major festivals. Three groups of men dressed in happi coats carrying mikoshi portable shrines make their way, chanting and banging as they go, from Kubo Yasaka Shrine through the narrow city streets to the gathering point at the watabashi ferry landing on Onomichi’s waterfront. The three groups them race as fast as they can around a large banner in front of large crowds. Finally all three groups repeat the circling of the banner, but at the same time, while purifying water is thrown upon them

18:00

• Portable shrines leave Kubo Yasaka Shrine (久保八坂神社)

18:30-21:00

• Festival stalls at Kubo Yasaka Shrine
• First 300 people who pay respects at Yasaka shrine dressed in yukata get a free Japanese sweet

19:00

• Portable shrines arrive and “battle” at Onomichi watashibashi on the waterfront