Experience the beautiful Kenka-sai festival at Fushimi Inari

As soon as I knew we'd be in Kyoto on the 1st of April I mentally blocked out the middle of the day for the Kenka-sai festival.  Incorporating festivals and cultural events on our Japan trips is something we've done since our first visit and it's provided us with some great experiences and memories.  

It's so much fun to be part of festivities that are unique and have a cultural significance to a country and when it's a small or local event it can be especially enjoyable.  There are so many seasonal festivals and events that it's not too difficult to find one that ties into your travel dates.

What is Kenka-sai?

Kenka-sai is a traditional Japanese festival that takes place during spring and autumn.  We attended at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto where it's held on the 1st of April and November.

The ceremony involves the offering of flowers at the shrine as an expression of gratitude and respect to the Kami.  Kami are deities but they represent mostly nature and natural events.  For example, at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Kami is the rice god.  Having rice historically meant having food and therefore wealth and over time the shrine has come to be associated with general prosperity.

The Ceremony

Starting at 11 am a procession of local women from the Ikenobo School of flower arranging arrives at the first torii gate.  They're dressed in beautiful high-quality kimonos and carry offerings of flowers.  The offerings will be assembled in the minimalist style of Ikenobo ikebana which appreciates the beauty not only of a perfect flower but of a bare branch or withered bloom.

The procession moves slowly up the entrance path beneath the torii gates, through the dramatic main gate and toward the covered stage.  The ladies remove their geta, a thong style of shoe worn with kimono and take their place on the Kagura-den.  The Kagura-den is essentially a large stage used for sacred dance and ceremonies.  Shinto Wedding traditions are elaborate; in some shrines including Fushimi Inari and Hachimangu in Kamakura, we've also seen wedding ceremonies take place on the stage.

Next, the senior priests approach the kagura-den and take their positions on the stage.  We were there earlier in the morning to climb the hill under the 1000s of torii gates so we saw some preparation taking place.  The set-up and ceremony plan was checked and double-checked by the shrine maidens (Miko) and Priests.  It might be a small ceremony but it's important that it runs without a hitch.

The ceremony itself is conducted quietly.  We don't understand Japanese anyway but the words were spoken at a volume for the Kami and those on the stage to hear not broadcast to those watching.  The movements of the participants were elegant and fluid making the procedure calming and a pleasure to watch.  During the ritual, the components carried onto the stage by the women were presented and assembled.

Planning your visit to Kenka-sai

Getting there

Fushimi is a ward of Kyoto city located slightly south of the city.  The easiest way to get there is by JR train arriving at the Inari station.  It will take around 5 minutes on the Nara line and cost Y190.   If you have an active JR Pass it will cover the trip, alternatively, you can buy tickets from the machine or use a stored value card such as the Pasmo or Suica.

The shrine is a short walk from the train station and the right direction is clearly marked by the bright vermilion torii gates.

Time

The procession starts promptly at 11 am so be there a little early to get a good position to watch as they move up the main approach to the shrine.  The year we attended the 1st fell on a weekday and while there were more people than you'd expect normally it wasn't a huge crowd.

The shrine itself is always open so you can arrive as early as you wish.  It is worth allowing time to explore the shrine itself and the paths and hiking trails behind it.  The views from the top of the hill at the end of the trail back over Kyoto City are worth the climb up the steps.

Cost

Access to the shrine and event is free.  I believe entry is always free at Shinto Shrines, unlike Buddhist temples where the larger more popular ones do charge a fixed entrance fee.  There are a number of offering boxes at different shrines within the grounds so we normally make a contribution that way.

Facilities

There are toilets on-site and a kiosk that sells the usual charms and ema tablets.  The ema at Fushimi Inari features either a fox face or a torii.

If you have a Goshuin, temple stamp book, you can get that stamped and the calligraphy added here too.

There are some small restaurants and stalls on the way up the trail behind the shrine that specializes in inarizushi.  This seasoned rice stuffed into a deep-fried soy pocket was reputedly the favourite food of the fox, the messenger of the kami.  It might be a favourite of mine too.  There are also a number of good and reasonably priced restaurants around the entrance to the temple.

Shrine etiquette

A few people have mentioned to us that they are uncomfortable visiting events at shrines because they are unfamiliar with the Shinto practices and what is expected of them.  Here's a quick overview of what happens in a shrine and a few tips.

Save these collages or any photos on this page to Pinterest