339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto

Bus stop at Kamigamo-Jinja Mae (City bus #4)

Oharaeshiki (Great Purification Ceremony) is a service intended to banish evil spirits. Prayers are offered up for our health and safety throughout the remaining six months of the year.  Participants walk through a hoop made of dried grass before attending the purification ceremony held inside Hashidono.  Afterwards, a Nagoshi service and Nagoshi Haraeshiki take place from 8:00pm.  Hitogata dolls collected from worshipers are thrown into a nearby river to purify them of any sins committed during the first half of the year.  The doll-throwing ceremony attracts many visitors for the solemn yet touching atmosphere it creates.