The 2026 Mori Festival begins at Mishima Shrine

With the previous day's rain cleared away and a crisp, clear autumn sky on the 6th at noon, 14 festival floats (yatai) gathered at Mishima Shrine for a purification ceremony, the welcoming of new parishioners, and a dedication of festival music (hayashi), officially declaring the start of the festival. Afterwards, the floats returned to their respective neighborhoods to be pulled through the streets. The bright, cheerful expressions of everyone—whether playing the flute, riding on the float, or pulling it—left a lasting impression.