Toukasan Yukata Festival 2025

Event date:
June 6, 2025 at 2:46 am
Event end:
June 8, 2025 at 2:46 am

Location: Enryuji Temple, 8-12 Mikawa-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0029
Phone: 082-241-7420
Official Website: https://toukasan.jp/
Admission: Free
Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (General)
Temple Gates: Open 24 hours (except during the Toukasan Festival)
Festival Dates: Early June 2025 (Exact dates to be announced)

Overview
The Toukasan Festival, one of Hiroshima’s three major festivals, celebrates Inari Daimyojin, the protective deity enshrined at Enryuji Temple. Held annually for over 400 years, the festival is also known as the unofficial start of summer in Hiroshima. Its name “Toukasan” comes from the onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading of “Inari” as “touka.”

Originating in 1620, the festival commemorates the spiritual and social contributions of the deity, believed to have brought prosperity and protection to the Hiroshima Castle town and its people. Today, it remains deeply rooted in the hearts of locals as a celebration of tradition, community, and seasonal transition.

Cultural Significance
The sacred object of Inari Daimyojin is revealed to the public only once a year during the three-day festival, symbolizing spiritual cleansing and renewal. Thousands of locals and tourists alike dress in colorful yukata, stroll the lively streets, and enjoy the variety of food stalls and performances.

Festival Highlights

Opening Ceremony and Unveiling of the Sacred Object
First Day – From 6:30 PM
The most sacred moment of the festival, where the hidden object of worship is revealed and a ceremonial announcement marks the official start of the festival.

Prayer Ceremony for Industrial Development
First Day
A solemn ceremony where prayers are offered for the growth and success of local businesses and industries that have supported the temple.

Burning Ceremony
Second Day – From 3:00 PM
Visitors can bring their old talismans and amulets to be respectfully burned in a purification fire. Items must be placed in the return box prior to the ceremony.

Hiroshima Taiko Preservation Society Performance
Traditional taiko drummers perform a high-energy, sacred dedication to the deity. The booming rhythms are a powerful expression of cultural heritage.

Street Festival & Yukata Culture
Throughout the festival, central Hiroshima becomes a pedestrian paradise. Tens of thousands wear yukata and participate in parades, food fairs, and spontaneous street dancing. The entire area around Chuo-dori and Hatchobori becomes a vibrant corridor of summer celebration.

Closing Ceremony
Final Day – From 8:30 PM
The doors of the sacred object are closed again for another year. The festival concludes with prayers for the well-being and wishes of all worshippers and attendees.

Additional Notes
The festival is family-friendly and easily accessible by public transit. Street closures and pedestrian zones make it ideal for leisurely strolling. Expect food stalls (yatai), game booths, yukata sales, and traditional sweets.

For more information and updates, visit the official site: https://toukasan.jp/