Kora Taisha Shrine’s Kawatarisai Festival (Hekokaki Matsuri Festival)

高良大社川渡祭（へこかき祭り）

“Hekokaki Matsuri” is a well-known festival held by Kora Taisha Shrine to ward off and prevent bad luck.
“Hekokaki Hadaka Matsuri” festival takes place in the early morning hours of June 1 at Umashimizu Mii Shrine, which lies at the foot of Mt. Kora. A group of men and children don red loincloths (called “heko” by locals), undergo a cleansing and finally race up the mountain.
Another ritual that takes place during the shrine’s Kawatarisai Festival is the “Chi no Wa Kuguri”, or Passing Through a Thatched Hoop. It is based on a legend that if people who are 60 years old or will otherwise have an unlucky year wear something red and undergo a purification ceremony that involves passing through the hoop, they will avoid adversity, suffer only minor troubles and turn their bad luck into good luck! Even people who are not expected to have an unlucky year can pass through the hoop, attracting many visitors who participate every year. The ritual occurs every year on both June 1 and 2.
Kora Taisha Shrine conducts special rituals such as prayers for people of unlucky (and lucky!) ages throughout the month of June.

Address (Japanese)	839-0852　福岡県久留米市御井町1　高良大社
Address	1 Miimachi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
Telephone Number	0942-43-4893（高良大社）
Contact	Kora Taisha Shrine
Car Park	Available
Access	By car - About a 15 minute drive from the Kurume Interchange off the Kyushu Expressway By train and bus - Take the JR Kagoshima Main Line or Nishitetsu “Tenjin Omuta” Line to Kurume Station; transfer to Nishitetsu #1 bus and get off at the “Mii-machi” stop; 30 minute walk from there (taxis also available) *Special bus running directly to Kora Taisha Shrine from Kurume Station available June 1 and 2
Website	http://www.kourataisya.or.jp/index.html