Kawazoe Shrine (garbage shrine) Kawazoe Jinja (garbage shrine)

The shrine is located in a quiet forest in front of JR Tochihara Station, and as soon as you step into it, you feel as if you are in another world: it is quiet and majestic.
This area was known as ``Tochigahara Garden'' in the sacred territory of the shrine, and was a hunting ground for the priests.
The garbage festival is held on the Sunday close to the 19th of February every year, and in hopes of a rich harvest, people parade through the town chanting "Madalaraku Manzai" (Manzairaku), and inside the shrine grounds there is a "Manzairaku" festival held to pray for a good harvest. A strange festival where events such as the Archery Ceremony and the Naematsu Shinto Ritual are held.
Many visitors come from far and wide to see the festival, and the festival is held in a grand manner, bringing together the local residents.