Owatari is the daytime procession of the mikoshi on the first day of the festival. The mikoshi is carried by men attired in hakuchou , traditional shrine work attire consisting of a white gown and a black hat. The approaching mikoshi is announced by the ohayshi, a large taiko drum, that leads the procession through the neighborhood. As the drum sounds come closer, neighborhood residents wait in front of their homes to greet the owatari procession. As it passes, it is customary to make a monetary offering to the local deity enshrined in the mikoshi as a purification ritual. An offering box saisen-bakowith the chief preist follows the mikoshi for this purpose. You might also spot Tengu (red mask) who acts as a bridge between the spirit world and the human world.

Mikoshi-buri or shrine shaking is the evening procession, illuminated by candle lanterns, of the mikoshi at the Omachi crossroads on the first day of the festival. The mikoshi is carried by men and sometimes women attired in happi coats and handako white short pants. The event culminates in an impressive show of strength and teamwork as all four mikoshi are tied together and processed through the Omachi neighborhood as a single unit.
The mikoshi are very heavy so the weight is shared by the group with additional carriers following behind to step in as needed. The weight of the mikoshi is unknown because it is blasphemy to weigh a deity, but it is estimated to be about 1500 kg to 2000 kg (3300 lbs to 4400 lbs).

It is common for parents to pass under the mikoshi carrying their young children to pray for the child's safety and healthy growth which is known as mikoshi-kugurii.