© Hideya HAMANO
During this festival, 54 portable shrines are paraded through the streets and neighborhoods of Tokyo with lots of music and dancing. It is believed that these portable Shinto shrines, or mikoshi, will bring fortune and happiness to the local residents. Even though there are quite a few festivals of this kind, this one takes everything to a higher level! While the carriers, participants, and dancers parade through the streets they are constantly splashed with water. This is a symbol of purification as well as a fun way to cool off during the summer heat.
