“Onmatsuri” of Kasuga Wakamiya Shrine

Starting at noon on December 17th, you can see the period procession called "Owatarishiki" in Nara City.
This is one of the Shinto rituals called "Onmatsuri" at Wakamiya Shrine, which belongs to Kasuga Taisha, and has continued uninterrupted for nearly 900 years since 1136 (Heian period).
People dressed in Heian-period costumes, carrying bows and arrows, and riding horses depart from Nara Prefectural Office at noon, passing through Kintetsu Nara Station, JR Nara Station, and Sanjo Street on their way to the “Otabisho” inside Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

At the Otabisho, various classical performing arts are dedicated until late at night.
Unlike festivals where people participate and enjoy themselves, it is a festival with a strict atmosphere as a Shinto ritual, and it is an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture.

You can see the photos of Onmatsuri ↓
https://onmatsuri.kasugataisha.or.jp/