Spring Kobo Daishi Memorial Ceremony　Yukumishiki 【April 21st】｜Shuzenji Onsen

"Yukumishiki" – A Spring Tradition Honoring Kobo Daishi and the Blessings of the Hot Springs

Every year on April 21, the "Yukumishiki" (Hot Water Drawing Ceremony) is solemnly held in Shuzenji Onsen. This traditional event is dedicated to expressing gratitude to Kobo Daishi, who discovered "Tokko-no-Yu", the birthplace of Shuzenji Onsen, approximately 1,200 years ago. It is an annual spring ceremony that honors the blessings of the hot springs and shares their significance with the community.

At the heart of the ceremony are about 30 "Yukumi Maidens", selected from within the city. Dressed in elegant kimono, they gracefully receive the sacred hot spring water, drawn by monks from Tokko-no-Yu, into wooden pails. Following this, a grand procession of around 250 participants, including monks and children dressed as Buddhist acolytes, slowly parades through the onsen town, making its way back to Shuzenji Temple, where the hot spring water is solemnly offered before the spirit of Kobo Daishi.

As the procession moves forward, tourists and locals gather along the roadside to witness the elegant spectacle, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of spring. Known affectionately as "Haru no O-Kobo-san (春のお弘法さん)" (Spring Kobo Daishi Festival), this cherished tradition serves as a symbol of spring’s arrival in Shuzenji Onsen. Amidst the rising steam of the hot springs, visitors are invited to experience this graceful and solemn moment, embracing the timeless beauty of the ceremony.