It’s 4 o’clock in the afternoon on June 6th. At a crossway in Hatchobori, Hiroshima city’s shopping district, lots of people are walking, dressed in Japanese clothing. I wonder what on earth is happening?!

They are heading to Enryuji Temple. Every year on the first Friday (to Sunday) of June, the Toukasan Festival is held to celebrate Toka Myojin, the Enryuji Temple deity.

At the entrance of the temple I discover a beautiful young lady handing something over!

The visitor has bought a fan to ward off evil. Apparently, they’re sold as charms to “fan away illness”.

Toukasan Festival is well known among locals as the first event of the summer at which yukata are worn. Even on the national level, wearing yukata during this season when the rainy season has not yet ended is early! They say that by looking at yukata sales before Toukasan, shops around the whole country that sell traditional Japanese clothes are able to predict the trends of the year.

And that’s why we were able to meet so many lovely people wearing yukata at the festival. Without further ado, here are some snapshots.

Some international visitors lining up to visit the temple that, though slightly embarrassed, kindly agreed to be photographed!

A 1-year-old with her mommy. Her cute attire matches her hair arrangement – a true fashion starlet.

Even at the bar near the temple, you are entertained by yukata-wearing staff during the Toukasan festival. You’ll certainly feel soothed…

Before I noticed, the sun had set, and the paper lanterns were starting to be lit. There are still more festivities to come! From 7:30pm, the Chuo-dori road that faces Enryuji Temple becomes a pedestrian paradise (car-free) and fashion shows and dance performances among other events begin.

Toukasan festival brings summer to Hiroshima. How about participating next year?

Toukasan Festival

Address: Enryuji Temple 8-12 Mikawa-cho, Naka ward, Hiroshima city, Hiroshima prefecture
Dates: Every year on the first Friday, Saturday & Sunday of June
Tel: 082-241-7420
URL: http://www.toukasan.jp/ (Japanese)

Yukatadekinsai (‘Come wearing yukata festival’)

* Public festival held at the same time as the Toukasan Festival

Address: Central Hiroshima city (Chuo-dori road)
Dates: Every year on the first Friday, Saturday & Sunday of June
Tel: 082-245-1448
URL: http://www.chushinren.jp/eventinfo/yukata.htm (Japanese)

Little Happiness Bar
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Happiness-小さな幸せ/189011804485249 (Japanese)

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Izumi Furukawa

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Izumi Furukawa

Izumi Furukawa Hello. My name is Izumi Furukawa and I was born in Kagawa Prefecture. Before getting married in 2012, I wrote for various magazine companies and Internet based media organizations in Tokyo. After marrying, I moved to Hiroshima and am now raising my child as well as writing stories about my fascination with this area through Setouchi Finder. Most of the articles I write are about places I visit on weekends with my family. My favorite driving course is Route 375 from Saijyo to the Miyoshi Area, and my favorite food from the Hiroshima area is Anagomeshi (from Miyajima)!!

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