This festival is held at Yatsurugi Shrine where the deity of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto is enshrined. This is based on the myth of Susanao-no-Mikoto, the main deity of the shrine, killing a giant serpent in the Hino-kawa River in the Land of Izumo. It is said that the festival started in 1640 under the reign of Emperor Meisho in order to appease or soothe the gods. The main attraction of the festival is a 3-meter high float of a giant snake which is paraded through the Seki-machi shopping district accompanied by unique gongs and drums. In the evening, fireworks spew from the mouth of the serpent as it shakes its head, adding to the festive atmosphere.