Mitarashi Festival（御手洗祭) at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto VIM

This evening I attended the Mitarashi Festival（御手洗祭) at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto! It was a hot and humid evening, it had rained a little, but not enough to bring respite from the heat. There where lots of people arriving to dip their feet in the cool waters and refresh themselves and pray for good health in this summer’s severe heat. The water comes out of an underground stream, which is why it’s so cold and relaxing. Here’s what you do, you pay 200 ¥, take of your shoes, roll up your pants or dress, light a candle and proceed into the water. You follow this little stream, holding the candle in your hand, and place it in front of the Inoue Shrine. Then you go and pray in front of the shrine and drink a cup of the purifying water. All done, now you can go and have a snack or a drink at the many stalls lining the sand to the Shimogamo Shrine. A suggestion, get some Mitarashi dango (dumplings said to resemble bubbles gushing up out of the water) before going home. #MitarashiFestival,#御手洗祭,#ShimogamoShrine,#Kyoto,#Japan,#下鴨神社,#みたらし祭,