Ukiha Okunchi Festival is a prayer festival held at Kamo Shrine on April 11 every year to pray for an abundant harvest and good health. It was started by Imperial Prince Kanenaga Shino in 1361.
The festival features many events, such as a Shinto thanksgiving ritual at the sanctuary, the dedication of the “Dance of Urayasu” to the gods, and a parade in which children wearing spectacular old-style costumes and playing music march. Worth seeing in this parade are the “Keyari” (a traditionl performance in which pairs of adults and childen throw an ornamental spear back and forth to one other) and especially the “Otona (Adult) Keyari” with its powerful movements!
Many stalls line the grounds of the shrine, which bustles all day long with a ceremonial Kendo (Japanese fencing) tournament, exhibitions, and more.