“Mikoshi” portable shrine is a special vehicle taken by a Shinto spirit during a local Shinto festival.

Shinto festivals are held mainly in spring and autumn in Japan.  These festivals are to pray for a good harvest or to give thanks for the harvest.  Mikoshi is used for these festivals.  It is believed that a Shinto spirit, usually existing in the main building of a Shinto shrine, temporarily moves to a Mikoshi during a festival.  The locals parade through the streets in the neighborhood shouldering a Mikoshi with a Shinto sprit on, to entertain the spirit while spreading divine favor over there.  Generally speaking, there are two types of Mikoshi, one of which is shouldered and the other one is with wheels to be pulled.  The details of the Mikoshi are different from place to place and the number of them belonging to a Shinto shrine also ranges from one to many.  Even in the heart of big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, a Mikoshi parading on the streets can be seen as shown in the photo.  Japan’s old tradition still remains here and there in the urban area.

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