Lily Festival

“Saikusa-no Matsuri”「三枝祭」or “Lily Festival” 「ゆりまつり」 at Izagawa Shrine 「率川神社」

Saikusa-no Matsuri「三枝祭」began in 701 as a national festival to pray for the avoidance of plague.

According to legend, the main enshrined deity of Izagawa shrine lived by the Saikawa river (狭井川) at the foot of Mt. Miwa (三輪).

There, many Bamboo lilies bloomed.

At the festival, Black and white Omiki (sacred sake) decorated with Bamboo lilies picked at Mt. Miwa is dedicated to the deity.

So, the festival became known as the Lily Festival 「ゆりまつり」.

Saikusa-no Matsuri is held annually on June 16th ~ 18th.

≪16th≫

11:00 : A procession of Bamboo lilies through the city centre from JR Nara station to Izagawa Shrine.

JR Nara station ⇒ Sanjo-dori street ⇒

Konishi-sakura-dori shopping street ⇒

Kintetsu Nara station ⇒ Higashimuki shopping arcade ⇒

Mochiidono shopping arcade ⇒ Komyoin-cho ⇒ Izagawa Shrine

15:00 : Opening of the festival

≪17th≫

10:30: Main festival

A dance dedicated to the deity performed by four shrine maidens.

13:15 : A beautiful procession, including women and children wearing ancient dress, through the city centre for 2 hours.

Izagawa Shrine ⇒ Sanjo-dori street ⇒

Konishi-sakura-dori shopping street ⇒

Kintetsu Nara station ⇒ Higashimuki shopping arcade ⇒

Mochiidono shopping arcade ⇒ Shimomikado shopping arcade ⇒

Naramachi-odori street ⇒ Izagawa Shrine

≪18th≫

10:00 : Closing of the festival

16:00 : A performance dedicated to the deity