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In October, the Otaisai festival is celebrated with the parade of miniature palanquins called the mikoshi. The mikoshi is an elaborate small building designed with pillars, a roof, even a veranda to make it ornate enough for deified spirits. It is carried by two long poles by at least four people who sometimes wildly swing it from side to side, so be very careful!
This parade can be observed from the picturesque Saya-bashi, an arched wooden bridge with a copper roof. The Saya-bashi is opened once a year and only for this occasion.
Since Kotohira is a very small town, a day-trip can be spiced up with a picnic in the area. You can have a pick of the sights though the best recommendation is the Kompira-san grounds for that breath-taking view. Pick up your picnic delicacies from the host of shops and bakeries en route to the shrine, and snag a bottle of sake while you're at it.
Some say that Kotohira is among the best destinations in Japan - compact, deeply cultural and offers a wide variety of experiences for the senses. Whether it's a day trip or a longer stay, Kotohira is most welcoming to visitors. So start preparing your hiking shoes, your Japanese phrasebook and a few thousand Yen!
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