| This festival is held to commemorate the rebuilding of the Uji Bridge.
This bridge, separating Ise Jingu from the common world, is rebuilt every 20 years, four years before the
Shikinensengu (reconstruction) of the shrines. In this festival, an elderly women is chosen as the first person to cross the
bridge. She is called watarihime (crossing maiden) and crosses the bridge along with her husband, one of her child
along with his/her better half, and one of her grandchild along with his/her better half. 63 groups of these 3-generation
couples are chosen nationwide. Last year, an 80-year old lady led the procession.
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