The Dragon King Festival is a summer highlight of Kinugawa Hot Spring. This year it will be held from July 25 (Fri.) to 26 (Sat.) 2025. It has been held since 1969 and began as a Shinto ceremony at Goryuo Shrine in the Ryuokyo Valley. Shinto priests at Nikko Toshogu Shrine hold it as a festival showing gratitude for hot springs, to pray for safe travels and the prosperity of the region. In this festival, majestic illuminated portable shrines, as well as beautiful sake barrel portable shrines which can only be carried by women, are transferred from their place of enshrinement, and paraded throughout Kinugawa Hot Spring town. In addition, folk entertainment and various shows are held on the specially created stage, making the festival’s atmosphere incredibly lively. From July 1 (Mon.) to July 31 (Wed.) the portable shrines are displayed at Kinugawa-Onsen Station and hotels in the area. Experience unique summer evenings with this traditional and exciting festival at Kinugawa Hot Spring.

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