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The festival is actually held from the first to second Sunday in July. Eighth day is the main day.The festival procession comes toward Enoshima's gateway which is the Seido no Torii (青銅の鳥居) gate.
This day-long festival starts at 9:30 am at Enoshima's Hetsunomiya Shrine. A large mikoshi (portable shrine) from Yasaka Shrine is carried from the shrine to Koyuguri Shrine on the mainland. Along the way, the mikoshi is carried into the ocean. On the mainland, the Yasaka mikoshi is met with a mikoshi from Koyuguri Shrine. They then parade together along a shopping street before the Yasaka mikoshi goes back to Enoshima at around 6 pm.
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Tengu manIn the searing heat of summer, this costume must be unbearable.
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Preparing for the seaDuring a break, the mikoshi is prepared for a run in the ocean.
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Water's edge
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Down ramp
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At seaShrine helpers on a boat splash buckets of sea water on the mikoshi bearers.
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Blessings at seaThe mikoshi and bearers are blessed by a shrine priest on a boat wielding a sacred staff.
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Mikoshi made of acorns
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Crossing over
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Passing Enoshima Station
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Passing by Ryukoji Temple
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Mikoshi face-offThe shrine from Yasaka Shrine on Enoshima is the male (left), and the mikoshi from Koyurugi Shrine (foreground) is female.
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Tram breakPart of the procession route also happened to be the Enoden streetcar route so we had to make way for the passing streetcar every 15 min. or so. There were streetcar personnel who blew their loud whistles whenever a streetcar was to pass through. I got scolded for sticking out my head to take this shot.
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Streetcar break
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Entrance to Koyurugi ShrineIt is dedicated to the sea goddess.
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Secondary shrines
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Koyurugi Shrine lookoutThe shrine is built atop a cliff overlooking the ocean, and there's small lookout offering sweeping view with Enoshima in the distance.
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Koyurugi Shrine
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Parading along a shopping street
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KnockersWhen they carry the mikoshi, a pair of knockers on both sides the mikoshi are struck to make a rhythmic sound.
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