Nagoshi no Harae: The Summer Purification and Grass Ring

At the midpoint of the year, shrines across Japan set up a great ring of grass and invite visitors to walk through it for good health.

Published October 21, 2026 at 6:08 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Nagoshi no Harae is a Shinto summer purification rite held at the halfway point of the year, usually culminating on June 30. Shrines set up a large ring of woven grass called a chinowa, and visitors walk through it in a looping pattern called chinowa kuguri to cleanse the past six months and pray for health in the six to come.

If you visit a Japanese shrine in late June, you may spot a tall green circle standing at the gate, decorated with paper streamers. It looks like a giant wreath, and visitors line up to step through it one by one. This guide explains what Nagoshi no Harae means, the legend behind the grass ring, how to walk through it, what sweet treat goes with the day, and where to see it in Kyoto, Fukuoka and Tokyo.

What Nagoshi no Harae means

Nagoshi no Harae is the summer purification ritual that marks the middle of the year. Harae means purification, and the ritual is meant to wash away the impurities and bad luck gathered over the previous six months. The rite is also called Minazuki no Harae, after the old name for the sixth month.

The ritual belongs to a larger Shinto practice called oharae, the great purification, which is held twice a year. One takes place around the end of June, and the other at the end of the year. Together they divide the year into two halves, each beginning with a fresh start. Many people say the summer rite prepares the way for the festivals that follow, such as Tanabata in July and Obon in August.

For visitors, the appeal is simple. The ritual is open, gentle and easy to join, and it offers a rare chance to take part in a Shinto custom without any special preparation.

The legend of the grass ring

The grass ring is linked to an old tale of two brothers, one wealthy and one poor. A traveler came seeking lodging, and the wealthy brother refused. The poor brother, named Somin Shorai, welcomed the stranger warmly despite his modest means. The traveler turned out to be the storm god Susanoo no Mikoto.

In gratitude, the god taught the poor brother to make a ring of grass and to wear it at the waist, promising protection. When a plague later swept the land, Somin Shorai and his family were spared. The story became the root of the tradition, and the ring of woven grass came to symbolize protection from illness and misfortune.

The legend appears in old records of Japan and has been retold for centuries. Today it gives the ritual a human and hopeful flavor: kindness to a stranger is rewarded, and a simple object made with care can carry blessing. The details of the story vary a little from source to source, but the heart of the tale remains the same.

When it is held

Nagoshi no Harae is held at shrines throughout June and usually reaches its peak on June 30. The timing varies by shrine, so some hold the rite on a nearby day or weekend. A few follow the older lunar calendar and hold it later in the summer. For example, in Fukuoka, Hakozaki Shrine holds oharae on June 30 and Nagoshi no Harae on the last weekend of July, and in Kyoto one shrine holds its ceremony at the end of July.

The grass ring is typically set up at the shrine entrance several days before the ceremony. That means you can often visit during the days leading up to June 30 and still find the ring in place. Since each shrine decides its own schedule, check the shrine's official website or local tourism information before you travel.

What happens at the shrine

The core of the day is the passage through the chinowa. A ring of woven grass, tall enough for an adult to walk through, stands in front of the shrine gate or main hall. Many shrines decorate it with paper streamers and bamboo leaves. Visitors line up, wash their hands at the water basin, bow, and then walk through the ring in a set pattern.

The usual pattern is a figure eight. Visitors step through the ring with the left foot, circle back to the left, then pass through again and circle back to the right, then pass a third time and walk straight on to the main hall to pray. Some shrines describe it as a sequence of three passes, and the details differ, so look for a sign near the ring or watch what others do.

Many shrines also offer hitogata, paper dolls shaped like a person. Visitors write their name and age on the doll, rub it over their body or breathe on it to transfer their impurities, and return it to the shrine. The dolls are later purified by fire or floated away on a river, depending on the shrine. In some places, small pieces of cut paper and hemp are sprinkled over visitors as part of the purification.

Examples from Kyoto, Fukuoka and Tokyo

Kyoto has many shrines that hold the rite, each with its own style. At Kitano Tenmangu, a ring stands before the main hall, and another large ring is set up at the tower gate. At Kamigamo Shrine, paper dolls are floated down a stream in a ceremony of release. At Yoshida Shrine and Shiramine Shrine, visitors pass through the ring three times, and at Yasui Konpira Shrine the dolls are handed out so that visitors can write their name, rub the doll and blow on it.

Some shrines add a special touch. One Kyoto shrine welcomes pets, offering animal-shaped dolls so that dogs and other companions can be included. Another sets up a very large ring in its parking area so that cars and motorcycles can pass through for blessing. Details like these show how flexible and friendly the tradition is.

In Fukuoka, the ritual is observed at shrines such as Hakozaki Shrine, Sumiyoshi Shrine, Atago Shrine and Torikai Hachimangu, and the city's own culture pages encourage visitors to pass through any chinowa they see for good luck. In Tokyo, Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo Ward is among the places known for its grass ring.

The sweet that goes with the day

In Kyoto, a traditional treat called minazuki is eaten on June 30. It is a triangular sweet topped with sweet red azuki beans, and the beans are said to ward off evil. The triangle is often explained as representing half a year. Some versions use a base of rice cake, while a traditional recipe uses bracken starch and is wrapped in bamboo leaves, and confectioners vary the recipe.

Tasting minazuki is a lovely way to join the day without joining a queue. Many Kyoto sweet shops sell it around the end of June, and some shops in other cities make their own seasonal versions. Enjoy it with green tea, and you will have a taste of the old calendar in your hand.

Tips for visitors and etiquette

Approach the ring calmly and follow the sequence posted at the shrine. If you are unsure, watch a few people ahead of you, or ask a shrine attendant politely. Keep a respectful pace, and wait your turn, since lines can form in the evening or on weekends.

Dress comfortably for the summer heat and rainy season. Late June is often humid in much of Japan, so carry water and an umbrella, and wear shoes that are easy to walk in. When you reach the main hall, you can follow the usual shrine prayer steps, such as a light bow, a coin offering and a quiet wish.

If you want to take photographs, avoid blocking the entrance, and do not step on the ring or pull at the grass. The ring is a sacred object, and shrine staff appreciate quiet respect. Shrines often post small notices that explain how to take part.

Combine it with nearby sights

Because the ritual is held at local shrines, it fits easily into a day of sightseeing. In Kyoto, you could pair a visit to Kitano Tenmangu with nearby temples such as Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji. In Fukuoka, combine a visit to Hakozaki Shrine with a stroll through the city and a bowl of local food. In Tokyo, a visit to Nezu Shrine pairs naturally with a walk through the nearby neighborhoods of Bunkyo Ward.

Wherever you are, you can also use the occasion to learn more about shrine customs in general. How to bow, how to wash your hands and how to pray are all easy to pick up, and doing so deepens any shrine visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nagoshi no Harae?

Nagoshi no Harae is a Shinto summer purification ritual held around June 30. It clears away the impurities and bad luck of the past six months and prays for health in the months ahead. Many shrines mark it with a grass ring called a chinowa that visitors walk through.

How do you walk through the chinowa?

Many shrines ask visitors to pass through the ring in a figure eight, starting with the left foot, circling left, then right, and then walking straight to the main hall to pray. Some shrines describe three passes. Signs at the shrine usually explain the exact steps, so follow the local instructions.

What is the sweet eaten on June 30?

In Kyoto, people traditionally eat minazuki, a triangular sweet topped with sweet red azuki beans. The beans are said to ward off evil, and the triangle is often said to stand for half a year. Recipes vary, and many sweet shops sell it around the end of June.

Further Reading

To explore further, see Nagoshi no Harae: Summer Purification Rites (Kyoto City Official Travel Guide), Nagoshi no Harae and Chinowa Kuguri (Fukuoka City) and Oharae (Wikipedia).

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: How to Pray at a Shinto Shrine: The Simple Steps Explained, Shinto Kami: The Spirits Woven Into Japanese Life and Torii Gates: Japan's Symbol of the Sacred.