Mikoshi Carriers in the Cherry Blossom Festival Grand Parade | SF

Submitted by the Event Organizer

This year they are celebrating the carrying of the Mikoshi for the 50th year in the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival grand parade.

Picture yourself carrying a huge 2,000-pound Japanese shrine with a beautiful golden phoenix atop nine barrels of sake through the streets of San Francisco’s Japantown with a team of 149 other carriers as you participate in a 50-year old parade with thousands of onlookers cheering and staring at you in awe.

This April 16, 2017 marks the monumental 50th anniversary of the San Francisco Taru Mikoshi Ren carrying the Mikoshi shrine in the 2017 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival for the finale of the festival’s grand parade.

The strength and spirit of 150 carriers are necessary to collectively carry the Mikoshi. All men and women over the age of 18 are welcome. The first 150 to register the day of the parade will be accepted as carriers and will be able to borrow a carrier costume at registration.

Mikoshi carrying practice will occur immediately prior to the start of the parade. After the parade, carriers will be able to shower and receive a dinner.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.