On June 30, 2025, Kyoto’s famed Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) was the setting for the annual “Nagoshi no Oharae” (夏越の大祓式), a Shinto purification ritual marking the halfway point of the year. This event attracts not just locals, but also flocks of foreign tourists, many of whom were surprised and intrigued by the impressive ceremonies and long queues. The video details the atmosphere leading up to the event, showing the crowd gathering, the shrine grounds adorned with sacred Chino-wa (茅の輪, large grass rings), and the preparations by priests and participants.

The ritual began at 3:00 PM, with Shinto priests (shinshoku) leading a solemn procession. Central to the event is the “Chino-wa Kuguri”—the tradition of passing through a giant reed ring as a symbolic act of purification and renewal. This ritual, performed to ward off misfortune and offer prayers for health, is widely practiced at Shinto shrines across Japan, but Fushimi Inari’s version stands out for its grandiosity and vibrant local participation.

The ceremony is especially popular among visitors, given Fushimi Inari’s status as one of Kyoto’s most iconic shrines, renowned for its thousands of vermillion torii gates and spiritual significance. The event concludes as the public is invited to participate in their own Chino-wa Kuguri, making it an inclusive and memorable experience for all. If you find yourself in Kyoto at the end of June, witnessing Nagoshi no Oharae at Fushimi Inari Taisha is an opportunity to partake in a deeply rooted Japanese tradition and experience Kyoto’s living cultural and spiritual heritage.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is easily accessible via the JR Nara Line’s Inari Station, only a few minutes from Kyoto Station. The shrine is open year-round, but seasonal festivals like this highlight its ongoing importance in the spiritual and cultural life of Kyoto.