Today, 6/14, I went to the earliest summer festival in Kansai, held at Nishinomiya Shrine: “Okoshiya Festival”!
Here’s what the Okoshiya Festival mikoshi looked like↓
This article covers the festival stalls and Tookashi Festival from around 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Well then, let’s gooo.
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Festival Stalls
It was pouring rain around 3:00 p.m. today, so I’m sure a lot of people were surprised.
There were three food and game stalls lined up near the shrine entrance.
It was still early, and because of the rain, there were far fewer people than usual.
Right after entering, there were yo-yos, tamago senbei, and lucky ball games.
There was also baby castella. Since it had just stopped raining and it was cool today, maybe not many people were buying shaved ice.
The pigeons were taking a break after the rain too.
The Main Area for the Stalls Is the Pine Grove on the Right After Entering Akamon Gate
A jumbo omikuji. I missed getting a photo of it, but you can draw a really huge fortune slip.
When you think of festival stalls, you think of yo-yo fishing.
When you think of festival stalls, you think of ball scooping.
When you think of festival stalls, you think of shooting games.
When you think of festival stalls, you think of kamishibai. Wait, kamishibai isn’t usually at festivals, is it? But at the Okoshiya Festival, they have kamishibai!
There’s even a stamp rally. And you can get a prize, too.
The “Okoshiya Festival” at Nishinomiya Shrine, Kansai’s first summer festival of the season!
For those of you who love festival stalls, we’ve put together “Nishinomiya Neighborhood Summer Festival Schedule 2019.”
The Tookashi Festival Is Also Being Held Today
At Nishinomiya Shrine, a festival called “Toka Mairi” is held on the 10th of every month. The Japanese sweets offered before the shrine at that time are called “tookashi.”
The “tookashi” changes every month, and there are actually 11 varieties in total.
A festival bringing together all 11 types of tookashi is being held at the same time!
It started at 3:30 p.m., but at that time it was raining heavily.
Around 4:00 p.m., after the rain stopped, a crowd had gathered.
Usually, the tookashi sells out in about 30 minutes, but unfortunately because of today’s rain, they were still selling them this year.
While I looked away for just a moment…
One of them sold out!
More and more were starting to sell out!
So first, I’d like to introduce “Ebisu Mochi” and “Fukudama” from Okina Kaho, the first ones to sell out.
The green one is Fukudama. It’s bite-sized. The flavor of kinako spreads through your mouth, and the chewy texture makes it impossible to stop eating.
The one that looks a bit like warabi mochi is Ebisu Mochi. Amazingly, there’s a nicely sized walnut inside.
Personally, Fukudama is my favorite! If you like kinako, you should definitely try it.
You Can Get “Ebisu Mochi” and “Fukudama” Next Month on Wednesday, July 10?!
Amazingly, these “Ebisu Mochi” and “Fukudama” will be handed out for free at next month’s Toka Mairi on Wednesday, July 10.
Limited to the first 180 people.
If you go to the main shrine around 8:30 in the morning, there’s a chance you can get one for free.
Here’s what the June 10 Toka Mairi looked like↓
That was our report on the festival stalls and Tookashi Festival at the Okoshiya Festival!
Nishi2 will continue bringing you on-site reports from Nishinomiya summer festivals and events. Stay tuned!
