#KyotoSightseeing #777 #Shimog

#KyotoSightseeing #777 #ShimogamoShrine #ShrineVisit

The Mitarashima Festival, also known as the Mitarashi Festival, is held at Shimogamo Shrine. Its official name is the annual ritual held around the midsummer day of the ox. This year, it was held from July 21st to July 30th.

The Mitarashi Festival at Shimogamo Shrine, commonly known as the "Foot-Soaking Ritual," involves immersing one's feet up to one's knees in the spring waters of the Mitarashi Pond within the shrine grounds, offering lanterns, and praying for good health.

The event started at 9:30, but perhaps because it was the final day, a Sunday, I arrived at the shrine a little after 9:00. A line over 100 meters long had already formed, and it took a while to get to the end of it.

Once I finally got in line, the queue moved along smoothly, but long lines continued to form behind me, showing just how popular the Mitarashi Festival is.

I actually came to the Mitarashi Festival for the first time last year and had such a great time that I decided to participate again this year.

The spring-fed river that flows out of the pond has clean, transparent water with small pebbles covering the bottom, so walking barefoot doesn't hurt.

The water temperature was surprisingly low, and my feet, immersed up to my knees, went numb.

I paid 300 yen at the entrance and was given a plastic bag to put my shoes in and a candle for the lantern. I took off my shoes and socks, and entered the pond barefoot.

I followed the crowd, following the current, and placed a candle on the offering stand set up at the end of the pond before emerging from the pond.

[It is said that if you bathe in Mitarai Pond, offer orange lilies, and receive the sacred water, you will be protected from all illnesses and enjoy a long and healthy life.] After emerging from the pond, you sit on a bench, wipe your feet, put on your shoes, and then receive the sacred spring water.

You will then be presented with a Kamo no Kuroishi (duck black stone)... Kamo no Kuroishi are known as sacred stones... they are round stones found throughout Mitarai Pond and are said to be effective in warding off cripples in children, so it is good to place one next to your pillow when you sleep.

Also, the ``talisman stone'' for good health and freedom from illness is only given out on the day of the Ox in the Dog Days, so it is understandable why it was so crowded on this day.

Leave a small donation for both the sacred water and the sacred stone.