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Mikoshi — The Portable Shrine: History, Structure, and How to Carry a God
A mikoshi is the portable "vehicle" in which a deity temporarily resides during a festival procession. This guide covers the history and structure of mikoshi, the rituals of miyairi and togyo processions, and the festivals at Kanda Myojin, Asakusa Shrine, Hie Shrine, Tsurugaoka, and Yasaka Shrine.
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Author
Hijiri
| Shrines & Temples
Contents
MOKUJI
一
Origins of the Mikoshi — From Nara Period to National Festival Culture
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二
How to Carry a Mikoshi — Togyo, Miyairi, and Sashiage
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三
Major Mikoshi Festivals — Pilgrimage Route Guide
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四
Comparative Overview of Major Mikoshi Festivals
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五
Practical Guide to Participating in Mikoshi Carrying
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六
Frequently Asked Questions
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A mikoshi is a portable shrine in which a Shinto deity temporarily resides during festivals, traveling from the main shrine hall through the community in a procession called togyo (divine procession). This majestic event is the heart of Japan’s matsuri tradition.
Kanda Matsuri procession passing through Akihabara (2009). One of the Three Great Edo Festivals, held in odd-numbered years in May.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / photo by Jose Fernando
Origins of the Mikoshi — From Nara Period to National Festival Culture
The earliest records of mikoshi date to the Nara period (8th century) at Usa Hachimangu (Oita Prefecture), where the deity is recorded as riding a palanquin during major national events. By the Heian period, mikoshi processions were established at Kyoto shrines, and the Gion Festival (predecessor of today’s Gion Matsuri) had already developed the form of a deity touring the city in a mikoshi.
Structure of a Mikoshi — What Does Each Part Mean?
Part
Name
Significance
Top ornament
Phoenix (houo) or ornamental jewel (giboshi)
Sacred bird descending from heaven; heavenly treasure
Roof
Shrine-shaped roof (miya-yane)
Miniature shrine hall as deity’s dwelling
Interior
Mitamashiro (spirit-embodiment)
Sacred object where the deity dwells (usually hidden)
Carrying poles
Katsugibo / Nagae
Poles used to carry the mikoshi; also called kakibo
Base
Daiyo
Platform supporting the entire structure
Most mikoshi feature a phoenix on the roof, though some have alternative symbols. Mikoshi range in weight from under 100kg to over one metric ton, depending on the shrine and occasion.
A miya-mikoshi lifted overhead in front of Sensoji at the Sanja Matsuri, Asakusa (2006). The "sashi" — raising the mikoshi above the heads of the bearers — is the signature move of the Asakusa style.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 / photo by Eckhard Pecher (Arcimboldo)
How to Carry a Mikoshi — Togyo, Miyairi, and Sashiage
What is Togyo (divine procession)?
Togyo is the route the mikoshi travels from the main shrine through the parishioners’ district (ujiko area) and back. Along the route, parishioners clean their storefronts and hang lanterns to welcome the deity’s passage.
Etiquette for carrying a mikoshi
Carrying a mikoshi is a sacred act of service before the deity:
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Participants are expected to have purified themselves (misogi/ablution) beforehand
•
Passing beneath the mikoshi is strictly forbidden (equivalent to walking under the deity)
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Swaying and lifting the mikoshi high (sashiage) are acts of reverence that are believed to please the deity
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Calls such as “Wasshoi” or “Sore” unite the carriers and encourage the deity
What is Sashiage (lifting the mikoshi high)?
Sashiage — lifting the mikoshi high overhead and shaking it vigorously — is believed to energize and please the deity. The dramatic sashiage seen at festivals like Sanja Matsuri (Asakusa) and Kanda Matsuri is a unique expression of both carriers’ pride and devotion.
One of the three main miya-mikoshi carried down a major Asakusa street during Sanja Matsuri (2006). The festival draws over a million spectators.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by Torsodog
Major Mikoshi Festivals — Pilgrimage Route Guide
Kanda Matsuri (Kanda Myojin) — Edo’s Supreme Festival
Kanda Myojin (Chiyoda, Tokyo) hosts the Kanda Matsuri alternating every two years with the Sanno Matsuri, and has been called “Tenka Matsuri” (Supreme Festival) since the Edo period. Over 100 neighborhood mikoshi parade through Kanda, Akihabara, Otemachi, and Marunouchi in mid-May.
Sanja Matsuri (Asakusa Shrine) — One of Tokyo’s Three Great Festivals
Asakusa Shrine (Taito, Tokyo) holds Sanja Matsuri on the third weekend of May each year. Three large mikoshi of Asakusa Shrine and approximately 100 neighborhood mikoshi travel through Asakusa. The bold sashiage lifts and the carriers’ traditional body art are hallmarks of this popular festival.
Sanno Matsuri (Hie Shrine) — Festival Viewed by the Shogun
Hie Shrine (Chiyoda, Tokyo) holds the Sanno Matsuri in June, alternating as a “Tenka Matsuri” with the Kanda Matsuri. In the Edo period, this was the only festival whose mikoshi was permitted to enter Edo Castle, where the shogun observed the procession. Today a grand procession circles the Akasaka and Imperial Palace area.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Kamakura Warrior Festival
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Kamakura, Kanagawa) holds its main festival in September, featuring yabusame (horseback archery), mikoshi processions, and martial arts dedications — a living expression of warrior culture since the Minamoto clan.
Gion Matsuri (Yasaka Shrine) — Three Sacred Mikoshi
Yasaka Shrine (Higashiyama, Kyoto) holds the Gion Matsuri throughout July, Japan’s grandest festival. In addition to the famous float (yamaboko) processions on July 17 and 24, the three sacred mikoshi of Yasaka Shrine (enshrining Susano-o, Yoriki-no-kami, and Kushinadahime) travel through the parishioners’ district on the days of the Shinkosai and Kankosai ceremonies.
The Naginata Hoko float approaching the Kawaramachi-Oike intersection during the Gion Matsuri yamaboko procession, Kyoto (2016). The festival traces its origins to the goryo-e ceremony of 869 CE.
Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0 (Public Domain) / photo by Hahifuheho
Comparative Overview of Major Mikoshi Festivals
Shrine
Mikoshi Characteristics
Festival
Kanda Myojin
3 mikoshi (large, medium, small); all-gold plating
Kanda Matsuri (May)
Asakusa Shrine
3 mikoshi: Ichinomiya, Ninomiya, Sannomiya
Sanja Matsuri (May)
Hie Shrine
Phoenix-style; hollyhock mon (crest)
Sanno Matsuri (June)
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Stately warrior-class style
Reitaisai (September)
Yasaka Shrine
3 mikoshi; hoko-style variants
Gion Matsuri (July)
Bearers in matching happi coats march through Asakusa's Hanakawado neighborhood during Sanja Matsuri (2017). The unified call of "Wasshoi!" fills the streets.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / photo by Celuici
Practical Guide to Participating in Mikoshi Carrying
How can a general visitor join in carrying a mikoshi?
Many shrine festivals accept registered parishioners and walk-up participants. Basic rules for participants:
•
Wear proper festival costume (shiroei white garment or hanten jacket)
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Wear straw sandals (waraji) or split-toe work boots (jika-tabi)
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Follow instructions and respond to the head carrier’s commands
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Do not cross in front of or behind the mikoshi without guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the “Wasshoi” call come from?
The origin of “Wasshoi” is debated, with theories including Hebrew, Korean, and Japanese onomatopoeic origins. The most widely accepted Japanese etymological theory traces it to “wassa-wassa” (onomatopoeia for heaving a heavy object). Regardless of origin, it is universally used as the rally cry for mikoshi carrying across Japan.
Can women carry a mikoshi?
Some shrines traditionally restricted women from carrying the mikoshi, but most shrines today welcome female carriers. Some festivals organize dedicated women’s mikoshi processions.
Why do Kanda Matsuri and Sanno Matsuri alternate every two years?
During the Edo period, both were grand festivals with shogunal attendance. Holding both in the same year was prohibitively expensive, so alternating became the tradition. Both festivals continue to observe this two-year alternating cycle.
Can spectators touch the mikoshi?
The mikoshi is a sacred vessel for the deity. Spectators who are not carrying participants should generally refrain from touching it. Follow the guidance of carriers and event staff and observe respectfully.
How heavy is a mikoshi?
Weights vary greatly. Neighborhood mikoshi typically weigh 50–200kg. Large shrine mikoshi for major festivals can exceed 500kg to 2 metric tons. The more carriers there are, the lighter the individual load.
Last updated: April 25, 2026
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Author
Hijiri（ひじり）
Shrines & Temples
Toku editorial team — shrines and temples. Former designer who reads temple architecture and gardens through an aesthetic lens, quietly tracing the lineages of sects and doctrines.
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Visit Related Places
History truly comes alive when you visit in person. Choose your next destination from the related sites and pilgrimage courses below.
1. Kanda Myojin
Guardian of 108 Edo neighborhoods — now the anime-ema sanctuary of Akihabara
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2. Asakusa Shrine
Guardian of Senso-ji built by shogun Iemitsu, famous for the Sanja Matsuri's hundred mikoshi
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H
3. Hie Shrine
The Sanno shrine revered by Ieyasu as Edo's tutelary deity — the prestigious Sanno Festival was viewed by the shogun himself
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4. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Kamakura's guardian shrine since Yoritomo's 1180 relocation — site of Sanetomo's assassination by the great ginkgo
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5. Yasaka Shrine
Head of Gion Matsuri — Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine of warding and matchmaking
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