A Dramatic Ceremony Draws Laughter and Gasps The Gohan-shiki is a unique ceremony that has been handed down only in Nikko area. Nikko was opened as a sacred mountain for the syncretization of Shintoism and Buddhism, and mountain asceticism by mountain ascetics flourished, with the ascetics bringing back offerings made to the main deity in the mountain and sharing them with people in the village.   The entire ceremony consists of approximately three parts: the "Santen Gogyo Ku" and "Saito Daima Gomaku," the "Gohan Gonyo Ceremony," and the "Garamaki".   After the "Santen Gogyo Ku" and "Saito Daima Gomaku,"the hall becomes bright, the recipients line up on the platform, and the "ceremony of receiving rice with strength" begins. The ceremony proceeds in the following order: "Gojinshu (sacred wine)," "Prayer," "Gohan (rice)," "Naseen (rice dishes)," "Kinko (food)," and "Koyo (offering). One of the most spectacular parts of the ceremony is when a monk dressed in a mountain priest costume presents three heaping piles of rice to a kamishimo-dressed recipient, who is told to "eat 75 bowls of rice without leaving any leftovers". The comical sight of the recipient being forced to eat the rice and having it placed on his head is sure to draw laughter from the audience.   After successfully completing this ceremony, the recipients will conclude the ceremony by sowing the blessings they have received in the ceremony to the general public, in accordance with the Buddhist teaching of "not keeping the blessings for oneself but sharing them with others.   In the Edo period, only feudal lords of 100,000 koku or more could serve as a recipient, and the Tokugawa shoguns and other famous feudal lords from all over the country were named as recipient as an "honor for my clan".

About a kilometer from Futarasan-jinja Shrine stands Takinoo-jinja Shrine， standing quietly amid the cedar trees. The atmospheric Takinoo-jinja is a popular place to pray for a successful marriage， pregnancy or birth， but people also come in search of more general luck. According to the legend， if you throw a coin through the small hole atop the torii gate at the entrance， you’ll be blessed with good fortune—but you only get three tries， so aim carefully."

The Yayoi Festival is a traditional event in Nikko that marks the arrival of spring. Held annually from April 13 to April 17, this historic festival has been a part of Nikko’s cultural heritage for centuries. The festival is believed to have originated during the Jingokeiun era (767–770) as a grand ritual to celebrate the changing seasons. It was originally held in the third month of the lunar calendar, which is called "Yayoi" in Japan, meaning a time when nature flourishes. After the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1873, the festival continued in its current form, maintaining its deep-rooted traditions. Festival Highlights The festival officially begins on April 13 with a procession of beautifully decorated mikoshi (portable shrines) from the Honsha, Takiou, and Hongu Shrines. However, the most spectacular part of the event takes place on the final day, April 17. During the five-day celebration, various rituals are performed to honor the deities, but the most anticipated events are the Grand Festival (April 16) and the Procession of Floats (April 17). On these two days, eleven different neighborhoods from eastern and western Nikko bring out their elaborately adorned azalea floats and lively traditional musical bands, parading through the streets of the city. The highlight occurs when all the floats gather within the shrine grounds. Following an ancient custom, representatives from each town exchange greetings and name cards before the floats, accompanied by traditional hayashi (festival music), circle the shrine. On April 17, the festival reaches its climax when representatives from Ishiya-machi, the town responsible for that year’s festival, lead the crowd with spirited chants as they push the massive floats up the stone steps of the shrine’s sando (approach path) in a dramatic display of strength and unity. A Festival Steeped in Tradition The Yayoi Festival strictly follows ancient traditions, with every step of the ritual conducted as it has been for generations. Locals believe that any deviation from the traditional methods could bring misfortune, adding to the festival’s reputation as a “troublesome” or “chaotic” festival. Because of this, some people even refer to it as the “GOTA Festival”, where "GOTA" symbolizes trouble or disputes. This nickname has also led to the festival being called the “Quarrel Festival”, highlighting the passionate dedication and fiery energy of its participants. Steeped in history and rich cultural significance, the Yayoi Festival is a must-see event for anyone visiting Nikko in spring. It offers a rare opportunity to witness Japan’s traditional rituals, dynamic parades, and the deep community spirit that has kept this festival alive for over a millennium.

History of Futarasan Shrine About 1,200 years ago, a famous monk Shodo Shonin found Shihonryu-ji Temple (belong to Rinno-ji Temple) and Futarasan Shrine (today’s “Hongu Shrine” belong to Futarasan Shrine). It symbolized the begin of the mountain beliefs of Mount Nantai. Since then, Futarasan Shrine was called “Ichinomiya (first shrine) of Shimotsuke Province” and became the center of faith in Nikko.   What makes Futarasan Shrine different? The main deity of Futarasan Shrine is Okuniushi, who is known for good luck and success in love. Many people come here to pray for the success of their interpersonal relationships.   The wooden vermillion bridge “Shinkyo” located at the entrance of Mount Nikko is belonging to the shrine, welcomes visitors to the world heritage site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko”.   You can also visit the Oku-no-miya located at the summit of Mount Nantai and the Middle Shrine located on the shore of Lake Chuzenji, both are famous power spots in Nikko.   The shrine holds famous festival “Yayoi Festival” every April, you can see many beautiful mikoshi and enjoy traditional music during the event.   ※World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” includes Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Rinno-ji Temple and Nikko Futarasan Shrine.