The Spring and the Golden Week

The first week of May is usually a holiday week in Japan and it is called the golden week. During this week, many Japanese tourists are also staying in Kyoto on their holiday. Similarly, the gods of Inari takes a few days off from work and stay at a place called Otabisho near the Tohji temple in Kyoto. The day of their departure is a festival called Shinkou sai and the day of their return is called Kankou sai. In old times, Goshintai (object of worship) is carried by horses and a portable shrine for the trip but nowadays with trucks.

Now that they are back to Fushimi Inari Shrine, they will be busy until this time next year.