The traditional Japanese name for the portable shrine carried during a Shinto festival is mikoshi.
A mikoshi is a temporary, portable dwelling or vehicle for a kami. During a matsuri, participants carry it from a shrine through the surrounding community. This movement symbolically allows the kami to visit local people, bless the area, or participate in the festival beyond the shrine’s permanent grounds.
Mikoshi vary in size and decoration, but many resemble small ornate shrines mounted on poles. Carrying one is often a highly communal activity, accompanied by chanting, music, and coordinated movement. The procession may be energetic, but it remains part of a ritual setting rather than simply a parade.
A mikoshi should not be confused with a dashi or float, which is a festival vehicle that may carry decorations or figures but is not specifically a portable dwelling for a kami. The permanent shrine buildings and the temporary mikoshi serve different ritual roles.