Partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 92F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..
Clear skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low near 60F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Updated: August 7, 2026 @ 8:38 am
Japan's Sunrise festival attracts devotees from across the country every spring to a largely untouched mountaintop outside Tokyo
The centuries-old festival sees Shinto priests lead a procession to a sacred shrine at the summit
At dawn, people dressed as armoured samurai warriors join the Shinto priests on a kilometre-long climb back to the summit shrine
A centuries-old festival that heralds spring drew hundreds of worshippers to a mountain in Tokyo on Wednesday, as robed Shinto priests led a procession to a sacred shrine at the summit.
The Hinode Sai, or Sunrise festival, is believed to have started when wandering ascetics climbed Mount Mitake in search of enlightenment. Each spring, it attracts devotees from across Japan to the still largely untouched mountaintop about 55 kilometres (30 miles) from Tokyo's metropolitan area.
The annual two-day ritual sees the shrine's deity -- carefully wrapped in white silk and hidden from public view -- brought from the summit down to a temporary "resting place" at the mountain's base before being returned in a celebratory ascent.
Shrine officials say participants receive the deity's blessing, offering protection for households and freedom from illness for the year ahead.
The ritual, which has continued since the Middle Ages, according to the shrine's website, also symbolises the arrival of spring.
The silent procession began Tuesday evening, winding through a mountain village past devotees and shuttered shops bestowing blessing as it went.
Guided by lantern light, priests took the wrapped deity down to its overnight resting place believed to be where it originally descended from the heavens.
At dawn, the Shinto priests in court robes -- joined by people dressed as armoured samurai warriors and children in ceremonial attire -- set off on a kilometre-long climb back to the summit shrine.
Their pilgrimage culminated with the echo of conch shells through the forest as the procession completed its final ascent of 330 stone steps to the mountaintop.
acr-tmo/abs/cms
Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
Commented