Kyoto is surrounded by mountain and it’s really hot and humid in summer. I guided several tourists from overseas to temples and shrines in the last week of July but hotness took away our energies to enjoy there…That was the reason why we went to Mitarashi Festival held in Shimogamo Shrine. It was beyond my expectation.
Shimogamo Shrine is connected to water and people purify themselves at the Mitarashi pond. Late July, the festival is held here and there is a wading ritual in which people walk in the water praying for good health. I was surprised that the water was so clean and cold. Actually it is well water and the pond is cleaned by the priest.
After enjoying the ritual, we prayed in front of the shrine above the pond called “Inouesha” literally means the shrine above the well. People wrote their wish on the wooden tablet and it is quite common in Japanese shrine. Unique thing here is its shape of the tablet.
Not only in late July but also March 3rd, this shrine holds the ritual at this Mitarashi pond. Praying for good health is common feature of both of them.
We could encounter one of the famous man of Japanese TV program “Discovery of the World's Mysteries”. Usually it features some mysterious places around Europe or Africa such as Sphinx of Egyp. But Japan is also treasure of mysteries.
If you visit Kyoto in late July, Shimogamo shrine and its ritual would be one of the must to experience Japanese culture.
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