A Collaboration Between Gion Festival and Sou-Odori Dance!

Ibun Shrine is an ancient shrine allegedly transferred to Nishio from its original place of Ikawazu, in Atsumi-gun, by the Prince Hachijo Toshihito during the Montoku Era (850-858 C.E.), and has garnered devotees for being the "Ubusunajin" Protector God of the Motherland. During the Nishio Gion Festival held annually in mid-July, a "mikoshi" portable shrine transfers the god in a "togyo" procession from Ibun Shrine to Mitsurugi Hachimangu Shrine - located inside the area where the original Nishio Castle was built. On this occasion, it is believed that all the faithful who pass under the mikoshi gain a protection against illnesses.
The festival happens simultaneously with the great citizen's dance festival Sou-Odori, "Odorotcha-Nishio," held in downtown Nishio-City.