Visit Minase Jingu Shrine, founded more than 700 years ago on a site associated with Emperor Go-Toba, and encounter both the sacred and playful dimensions of Japanese court culture. Begin with purification and a tamagushi offering, which guests may choose to skip, then experience the shrine’s pure water through tea and a water-revealed omikuji fortune. Water from the same source found within the shrine grounds is also used in the production of Suntory whisky and beer.
Every participant can dress in kariginu court attire and learn kemari, the cooperative ball game once practiced by aristocrats and the imperial court. Rather than competing, participants work together to keep the leather ball in the air, discovering a form of elegant play shaped by movement, calls, and shared attention.
Kemari & Sacred Water Tea at Minase Jingu Shrine
Process
- Enter Minase Jingu Shrine
Learn about the shrine and its connection to Emperor Go-Toba.
- Purification and Tamagushi Offering
Take part in the shrine rites, or choose to skip them.
- Dress in Kariginu
Every participant changes into traditional court attire.
- Play Kemari
Work together to keep the leather ball in the air through movement and calls.
- Sacred Water Tea and Omikuji
Enjoy tea made with sacred water and reveal a fortune using water.
| Venue | A shrine between Kyoto and OsakaThe exact address will be provided when your reservation is confirmed. |
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| Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes |
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Application
Your group
This expert communicates in Japanese only, so an interpreter is required for the experience. If you will bring your own interpreter or can communicate in Japanese, please note this in the preferred dates and message field below so that we can adjust your invoice.
Preferred dates and message
This experience will be arranged based on your request. Please let us know your preferred dates. Questions or special requests are welcome here as well.
We will respond via email, usually within 24 hours.