Toukasan Yukata Festival

Tokasan Yukata Festival (とうかさん大祭) is Hiroshima’s most iconic summer event, held annually over three vibrant days starting on the first Friday of June. Celebrated for over 400 years, it marks the unofficial start of summer as thousands of locals and visitors don colorful yukata for the first time each year. The downtown streets around Chuo-dori transform into a festive hub filled with glowing red lanterns, lively game stalls, and the enticing aromas of street food. One of the highlights is the atmospheric evening procession to Enryu-ji Temple, where worshippers offer prayers for prosperity and protection beneath a sea of lanterns.

Rooted in centuries-old spiritual tradition, the festival honors Tōka Daimyōjin, a deity associated with good fortune and protection from misfortune. Its origins lie in the Inari faith, blending both Shinto and Buddhist elements—reminiscent of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha. Originally a one-day temple celebration, it was extended into a full weekend during the Edo period at the request of local merchants who sought more time for commerce and community gathering. Today, visitors not only enjoy the vibrant atmosphere but can also receive a yakuyoke uchiwa—a decorative fan said to bring luck and ward off misfortune, serving as both a spiritual token and a memorable keepsake.