A Sacred Morning at Yahiko Shrine: Joining the Onikkusai Ritual and a Gentle Day in Niigata

A Day Shaped by a Dream and the Sacred Morning Light

The second day of our trip began early, guided by a lingering dream and the quiet anticipation of attending the Onikkusai morning ritual at Yahiko Shrine.
It became a day where the sacred and the everyday softly intertwined.

🕔 Early Morning Awakening and Preparation

I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to prepare for the ritual.
Before heading out, I took a bath to cleanse my body—something I do simply because it lifts my spirits.

Even at this early hour, the bath was busier than the night before.

🚶‍♀️ Walking to Yahiko Shrine — Fresh Morning Air on the Approach

We left for the shrine to join the 6:50 a.m. gathering for the Onikkusai.

The morning approach was crisp, quiet, and beautifully refreshing.

🍶 Onikkusai— Captivated by the Priest’s Movements

Photography wasn’t allowed during the ritual, but I found myself completely absorbed in the priest’s graceful movements as he recited the norito.

At the end, we received fukumae (blessed rice).

🌳 The Sacred Tree — Scarred by Fire, Still Divine

I had been looking for the thick sacred tree described in the pamphlet but couldn’t find it.
A woman cleaning the grounds explained that the original tree had partially burned in a fire.

Even so, the remaining trunk radiated a quiet, dignified presence.
It was beautiful.

🍽️ Breakfast Buffet at Minoya

Back at Minoya, we enjoyed the breakfast buffet.
I filled my plate mostly with cooked vegetables.

The freshly harvested Iyahiko rice was so delicious that I went back for seconds.
And despite being full, I still indulged in dessert.

🧴 A Small Gift to Myself from the Shop

I had loved the mud-and-horse-oil facial cleanser and the “Nanakusa Shizuku” all-in-one gel provided in the bath, so I bought both as souvenirs for myself.

🚗 Off to Teradomari — Cooking Tools and the Echo of a Dream

After checking out, we drove to Teradomari.
The souvenir shops were filled with cooking tools made in Tsubame-Sanjo.

I usually love kitchen tools, but perhaps because of last night’s dream, the sharp blades and sturdy tools felt a bit intimidating, so I didn’t buy any this time.

🦑 Seafood for the Family

We bought octopus—my younger son’s favorite—along with nodoguro and crab.
Everything went into the cooler box we had brought.

🍢 Just One Skewer of Grilled Seafood

I had planned to enjoy grilled seafood at Teradomari, but I was still too full from breakfast.

My husband and I shared just one skewer.

🍜 Ramen at a Roadside Station — A Simple Ending to the Trip

We stopped by Niigata Station because my husband wanted to see it, then began our drive home.

Around 4:00 p.m., I finally felt hungry again, so we had ramen at a roadside station.

After arriving home, my husband and younger son enjoyed the octopus sashimi, but I went straight to bed without dinner.
Our older son was out with friends.

I was a little tired, but it was a beautiful trip—full of delicious food, gentle moments, and a touch of the fantastical.