The origin story for the Daigaku festival is as follows... In about the year 858, Kansai was struck by a terrible drought like none ever seen before. Something had to be done, so, in a prayer for rain, Ikune Shrine constructed a wooden frame with 66 lanterns from Japan's 66 Ichinomiya ranked shrines. Then, just as the lanterns were hoisted onto the wooden frame, it rained. Ikune Shrine's traditional Daigaku summer festival dates back over 1200 years, making it older than both Tenjin Matsuri (951 A.D.) and Kyoto's Gion Matsuri (869 A.D.). Daigaku retains the same style used in ancient times, making it an incredibly precious rarity among festivals.

• name

  Ikune Shrine

• place

  Ikune Shrine and the surrounding area

• address

  2-1-10 Tamadenishi, Nishinari-ku, Osaka, 557-0045

• transport

  3-minute walk from exit 1 of Tamade Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line
  3-minute walk from the Tamade exit of Kishinosato-Tamade Station on the Nankai Main Line

• schedule

  July 24th - Festival Eve Celebration
  July 25th - Main Festival

• point

  July 24th - Festival Eve Celebration
  Mayoke Shishi, makuradaiko procession (Tamade area, Kishinosato area, Senbon area)
  From 19:30 - Daigaku carriers, marching presentation
  
  July 25th - Main Festival
  From 12:30 - Festival procession
  13:00 - 16:30 - Mikoshi ceremony
  Mikoshi procession: PR float, lead float, official's float, large makuradaiko (3), children's float, mikoshi mobile shrine
  Evening: Daigaku dance presentation

• name

  Ikune Shrine

• tel

  06-6659-2821

• general participation

  *Female Daigaku Carriers
  Date and time: July 24th 20:00 - 22:00
  (There is a change of clothes and a meal, so please meet up at 19:00.)
  Recruiting: 50 people
  Participation requirements: Healthy women over 16 years of age
  Application period: Late May to July 10th
  Where to apply: Apply with your town council or fill out the application form at Ikune Shrine
  
  *Male Daigaku Carriers
  Date and time: July 24th/25th 20:00 - 22:00
  Participation requirements: Healthy men over 16 years of age
  Application period: July 24th and 25th from 18:00 until about 20:00
  Where to apply: Ikune Shrine

• parking

  Parking spaces are limited, so please use public transportation if possible.

• url

  http://ikune.net/