Shiogamazakura (Shiogama Shrine)

The flower festival of Shiogama Shrine is held on the fourth Sunday of April every year. Legend has it that the festival began around the late 1700s. Suffering from poor harvest due to natural disasters, people in the area visited the shrine to offer a prayer for a good harvest. Then, the crops began to grow, and people walked throughout the town carrying Mikoshi, or a portable miniature shrine, to express their appreciation, which is believed to be the origin of the festival. Today, 16 men stroll around the streets of Shiogama carrying a Mikoshi weighing 1 ton. In a solemn ritual, the scenery of the Mikoshi marching along to the echoes of the ancient Gagaku court music represents a proud tradition of Shiogama City. Carrying the Mikoshi up over 200 steep stone steps to the shrine's front entrance is the highlight of the festival. It is quite a thrilling sight to see the 16 men descend and ascend these steps with the Mikoshi on their shoulders. The festival is held when the shrine is blessed with the 300 cherry trees in full bloom, which together with the splendid view of the Matsushima Bay fascinates a great number of visitors.