Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Shiga, Wakayama, Check out event schedules, hidden events, local and traditional festivals in the Kansai area.
Over 2,500 wind chimes, one of the features of Japanese summer are hung throughout the temple grounds. Their gentle sound with a summer breeze make you forget summer heat. It allows visitors to enjoy a pleasantly cool atmosphere. You can purchase the wind chimes around the country. Date : July 1 to August 31 every…
Ukai is a traditional fishing method in which trained cormorants (large diving birds) are used to catch fish such as sweet fish (Ayu). This type of fishing has history over 1300 years across Japan. Visitors can watch the event either from the river banks or get a seat on a boat. Boat ride : 1800…
Minoo Waterfalls will be lit up for the Summer Festa The Summer Festa Minoo Park is the annual event of the summer. The trail from the station, The waterfalls, and The Pavilion Phoenix of Ryoan-ji Temple are being lit up fantastically. Visitors can see the different look of the waterfalls. Location : Minoo Park Hours…
This is a candle festival,dedicating the fire of 20000 candles and lanterns, “good health”, “family safety” at Hikari-Sanpoko Shrine「光三宝荒神社」. Lit up : 18:00 to 20:00 Fee : Free Access: 10 minute walk from JR Kii-Yamada station on the JR wakayama line.Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter…
Moon-viewing festival started when Emperor Saga floated a boat on the Osawa-no-ike Pond on the night of the full moon nearest the Autumn Equinox, and had a party. Visitors can see both the brilliant full moon in the night sky and the reflection on the pond. Buddhist service under the moon is held from 18:30…
“Kangetsu-kai”, the annual Himeji Moon-viewing festival is on. Between the summer heat and autumn colors, tsukimi 「月見」, or moon viewing, is also an important point in the Japanese calendar. Visitors can see beautiful Himeji Castle lit-up under the brilliant full moon in the night sky while having a picnic meal and a few drinks with friends.…
The Moon Viewing Festival “Kangetsu-Sai” at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine must be worth visiting. A celebration ceremony takes place at the main palace and then a moon-viewing festival, the exceptional religious rituals is held when the beautiful full moon rise above the Taiko-bashi, curved bridge. Visitors can enjoy viewing the full moon over the famed Taiko-bashi bridge. There will be…
The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri in Kishiwada city in the south of Osaka/ 岸和田だんじり祭り The festival is the biggest and most famous “danjiri matsuri” in Japan. A danjiri is a traditional Japanese wooden float that has elaborate carvings and is decorated with various ornaments. Some of the floats are so large that they are pulled by…
This is one of the three religious festivals held by the Imperial ordinance in Japan. Situated on a quiet hillside, the Iwashimizu Hachimangu shrine hosts ancient rituals according to the old protocol. In the early morning before dawn, 500 people holding paper lanterns and dressed in special attire will leave the main shrine hall and…
The Takasegawa is an old canal running through the city, almost parallel to the Kamogawa river. there are lots of little shows going on in the street. “Rakugo” Japanese funny stories, Samurai show..etc. Another attraction is the tea ceremony performed by Maiko and Geisha. Access : 8 minute walk from Keihan Sanjyo station or 3…
Kushi Matsuri or comb festival at Yasui Konpiragu Shrine, features a colorful parade of about 45 women having their hair done in various coiffures representing each era from ancient times to the present day, and in clothes reflecting those eras. After the ceremony which starts from 1 p.m., they parade from the shrine proceeding in the…
Zuiki Festival at Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine/ ずいき祭 This festival is held in appreciation for the year’s grain harvest. The festival began as an offering of new rice husks, vegetables and fruit to the deity. The name comes from the portable shrine, which is adorned with a taro stalk roof. OCT 1, 13:00 to 16:00 For the…
Nada Fighting Festival/ 灘のけんか祭り Nada fighting festival is the popular festival held at the Matsubara Hachiman Shrine in Himeji City. It came to be called by this name “Fighting Festival” because the mikoshi (portable shrines) are jolted against one another when carried on the shoulders of the men in the parade. The greatest attraction is…
In spring and autumn when the temple’s roses are in full bloom, Visitors can enjoy about 2,300 varieties of roses and smell their fragrances while strolling through the temple grounds. Date : May 15 to June 30 and October 19 to November 30 every year Open: 7:00 to 17:00 Admission : Free Location : Ofusa…
A parade from the Imperial palace to Heian-Jingu shrine. A grand ancient-costume procession where the long history of Japan unfolds before the spectators. This is a fine opportunity for taking a close look at the costumes, accessories and fittings which are reproduced with the quintessence of Kyoto’s traditional handicraft techniques. A festival held at…
The Kurama Fire Festival is counted as one of the three great unusual festivals of Kyoto. Held in Kurama, a small town in northern Kyoto. The Kurama Fire Festival is filled with lit torches and iron baskets holding fire. You may experience incredible spectacle of the danger of so much fire so close at hand. …
The annual Himeji Pottery Market gathers japanese traditional pottery and ceramics from across the country to display their wares for sale. You can find famous Japanese potteries cheaper than the market price, such as Kiyomizu(Kyoto-style pottery), Arita, Karatsu, Shigaraki, Imari and others. Hours ：10:00 to 17:00 Access : 10-minute walk from JR Himeji stationShare this:Click…
Tens of thousands of the ritual tossing prayer sticks gathered from around Japan are burned in bonfires in appreciation of the abundant harvest, to purify one’s transgressions and reduce obstacles, and to pray for one health and happiness. When the prayer sticks on to the fire, the smoke clears and fires begin to rise up from…
Nishinomiya-jinja Shrine is the home of the god of commerce. The Toka Ebisu Festival, which takes place on the 9th, 10th, 11th of January each year, is always a lively event with many visitors and merchants to get sacred bamboo branches decorated with lucky items in hopes for the success of their businesses. Access :…
Imamiya Ebisu-jinja Shrine is known for “Ebessan” , the god of commerce. The To-ka Ebisu Festival held on the 9th, 10th and 11th of January each year. It gathers more than a million “merchants” from business owners to company employees wishing for prosperous business. Visitors can just enjoy food stalls around the shrine. Access :…
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