Hokkaido Shrine Festival

(Image: www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp)

Hokkaido Shrine Festival is held in June 14-16 every year. It is also called the Sapporo Festival and has a history going back over a century. On June 16, the final day, a line of more than a thousand people in colorful Heian period costumes parades around the city, along with eight floats including four mikoshi. The parade starts at Hokkaido Shrine in Maruyama and reaches central Sapporo in the afternoon, passing along major avenues lined with spectators. Traditional dedication ceremonies are held at the shrine, where many festival stalls are also set up. Stalls and other attractions, including a haunted house, are also featured at Nakajima Park.

Website: http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/china/