Every April the mikoshi is carried on shoulders across the Ashikawa River, an 800-year-old rite.
The Miyuki Matsuri, or ‘mikoshi river crossing’ (御輿の川渡り), carries the sacred palanquin from Hyōmon Shrine to Misaki Shrine: the high point is the crossing of the Ashikawa River on foot with the mikoshi on their shoulders, amid splashes of water, one of the three most extravagant festivals in Yamanashi. The current building has three bays and a gabled roof (三間社流造), with features of the Momoyama period.
Shinto shrine in the municipality of Ichikawamisato, which venerates Amaterasu, Ukanomitama and Ninigi; starting point of the Miyuki Matsuri towards Misaki Shrine. The tradition of the crossing dates back to the 12th century, to Minamoto no Yoshikiyo, founder of the Kai branch of the Genji. The shrine already appears in the Engishiki (10th century); the current building was rebuilt in 1695.
ℹ️ Shrine grounds free and always accessible. Miyuki Matsuri: main ceremony at 10:00, spirit transfer rite at 12:30, first Sunday of April.
🚉 Kai-Ueno · 19 min walk
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