A New Year's tradition! The Hoe-kago procession was held in splendor.

On Friday, January 10th, the traditional event that announces the New Year in Osaka's Minami district, the "Hoe-kago Parade," was held.

Starting with a send-off ceremony at the Tombori Riverwalk around 9:50 AM, a festive procession of several hundred people paraded through the streets of Osaka.

The procession, led by a **Hoekago** carrying geishas, featured local shopping streets and companies with decorated palanquins carrying celebrities and Fukumusume (lucky girls), proceeding with the chant of "Hoekago, Hoekago."

Many spectators gathered along the roadside, and there were also sake and candy giveaways, creating a lively atmosphere throughout.

This Hoe-kago procession is a major traditional event in Osaka's Minami district with over 200 years of history, held in conjunction with the Toka Ebisu festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, which prays for business prosperity.

This year, many people participated, and we were able to brightly usher in the new year.

I hope to celebrate this tradition with you all again next year and wish you prosperity in the new year.

Thank you to everyone who participated!

At YES Namba Mae, Koyoshie Kōshie boarded the palanquin (*^-^*)