Nara｜Draw an Ice Fortune at the Millennium-Old Himuro Shrine "Offering Ice Festival"

Enjoy Free Shaved Ice to Share the Blessings. The history of Himuro Shrine dates back to the Nara period when the capital was moved to Heijō-kyō. Ice storage and ice pools were built in Kasugano during that time. Every year on May 1st, the "Offering Ice Festival" is held, not only featuring rituals but also predicting the summer weather. Himuro Shrine enshrines the deities Tōke Ōyamanu, Ōsasagi no Mikoto, and Nukata no Ōnaka no Hiko no Mikoto. With a history spanning over a thousand years, the Offering Ice Festival remains a significant event. In front of the shrine's worship hall and at its entrance, pure ice dedicated to the gods is displayed, adorned with fresh flowers and free of air bubbles. The most unique aspect is that after paying respects, visitors can request an "ice fortune." By placing a blank fortune slip on the ice block, the fortune text gradually appears. On the day of the Offering Ice Festival, ice makers also come to the shrine to prepare shaved ice for worshippers, sharing the blessings bestowed by the gods on this special day. 📍Address: 〒630-8212 Nara Prefecture, Nara City, Kasugano Town 1-4 🚗 A 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, or take the Nara Bus to the National Museum stop and walk for 2 minutes.