Kyoto Gion-matsuri Festival
The highlight of Gion matsuri is the “Yamaboko Junko” parade. The Yamaboko, or giant wooden floats, are assembled without nails in the traditional Japanese way.
Daimonji Gozan Okuribi
Daimonji Gozan Okuribi is the Buddhist festival of the feast of our ancestors. Known as the Bon festival, it is held on the evening of August 16th.
Zuiki Festival at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Zuiki Festival at Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine is held in appreciation for the year’s grain harvest. You can enjoy the parade of portable shrines around the shrine.
“Joya-no-kane” bell rings at Chion-in Temple
At Chion-in Temple, 17 monks work together to ring a massive, three-meter tall, about 70 tons great temple bell at 108 times on December 31st.
The Setsubun Festival at Yoshida-Jinja
Yoshida-jinja, on the west slope of Yoshida-yama is one of the famous place for Setsubun festival. People gather to throw beans at performers dressed as “Oni”.
Kitano Tenman-gu Plum garden
Kitano-Tenman-gu Shrine grounds offer you to 50 kinds of 2000 plum tree blossoms. You can enjoy walking through the plum grove paths inside the plum garden.
Nijo Castle Sakura Festival
There are approximetaly 400 cherry trees of late blooming varieties in a cherry orchard. The special night illumination is on during the bloom.
Gion Shirakawa Sakura Light up
Cherry blossoms lined on the Gion Shirakawa dori, one of the Kyoto’s iconic street will be lit up to create a fantastic atmospere.
Hydrangeas garden lit up at Mimuroto-ji
Mimuroto-ji temple in Uji, a quiet place outside of Kyoto city, has 10,000 hydrangeas in various pink, purple, blue and white hues.
Tanabata illumination at Kibune Shrine
Every summer, there are illuminations at Kibune Shrine in Kyoto. Tanabata is a mythical tale of literal star-crossed lovers take place all over Japan.